You know, there's a machine that will cut all those steps out that I could probably get back up and running again.

I feel like the show does a good example of being entertaining while also showing those stark contrasts between the civilizations like you've commented. Even more so in the later part of "Stargate Atlantis" where it's more "cowboys and indians" style. They're trying to "save" all the planets in the Pegasus galaxy but tend to shoot anything they don't understand and constantly undermine themselves by making poor decisions when it comes to relations and dealing with people. The inhabitants of the galaxy have continued being successful at trade and socializing (except for a few outliers who can still be known to show honor) even while being under constant threat for their entire recorded history.