At the same time, there are definitely instances where using a replicator could’ve been the wrong move in Star Trek: The Next Generation, so it’s not as though it was always the obvious answer.
Fans who may be upset that their view of the series is tainted knowing Ronald D. Moore and others knowingly ignored the “easy button” of the Enterprise may instead think to this and other examples, and instead view the Enterprise crew as simply being cautious in using such a powerful technology, rather than stupid for not using it more often.
For example, if Picard had okayed the replication of the Brekkians’ cargo owed to the Ornarans to prevent further conflict in the episode “Symbiosis,” Dr. Crusher might have never realized that the “medicine” the Brekkians were selling them was actually an elicit drug they hooked the Ornarans on to preserve their economy.