Something I've been gradually coming to grips with is that we are seeing a relaxation of streaming content standards from what many of us grew up with on broadcast tv. I don't we collectively fully comprehend that we may be observing something of a race to the bottom, as we live in a de-regulatory environment where everyone's confidence or expectation of government/shared standards is fading fast. For Picard to set up such a parallel was painful to watch, considering the idealized heights of the Federation in TNG, and I'm not convinced that really served the plot well.
I remember the first season of Game of Thrones was pretty racy and violent compared to anything else on tv. But now, big epic arcs of binge-able content is the norm, and it seems like writers feel a show won't be taken seriously if it doesn't have sex, fast action violence, drugs and profanity.
I recall stories of how the original series had to grapple with the constraints of pretty tough broadcast standards on situations like an inter-racial kiss of Kirk and Uhura. Interestingly, in a world of streaming-centered shows, international distribution still runs into issues, which it seems like no longer register as a concern for producers.
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-looking-back-at-the-bbcs-ban-and-censorship/
I think we all are stimulated by novelty, but in terms of television, I'm not so sure producers competing without limits in terms of ever more violence, sex and profanity is good for us.
I don't think the old broadcast standards were a good thing, but I really wish writers and producers could hold to a stronger bar of using these things sparingly in the service of plot, rather than as a spice to hide a bland, low quality meal.
I agree with OP. Our world is a pretty dreary place right now with some very time sensitive problems coming upon us. We don't need Star Trek to just be another gritty sci-fi show. I am encouraged by the possibility the producers may have actually taken fan feedback to heart with Star Trek: New Worlds as a more optimistic entry in New Trek, to hew a little closer to where Roddenberry was trying to take us.