The decadence leads to allowing women into leadership 'roles', which, in turn, destroys any capacity the society has to colonize Mars.

There is nothing wrong with woman in power when the only way to receive that job is merit and total responsibility. When there exist any other ways, then you get decadence, ESG and other degradation.

Decadence is a result, not a reason. Meritocracy solves that, that's why even just an idea of meritocracy so hated by all elite around th world, just like an idea of real responsibility of anybody with any grade of power.

Only way to succeed in meritocracy is to acquire more knowledge than others. And unlike with money, you can't steal someone's knowledge to step higher. Unlike with being "special" pervert you can't declare you have knowledge without really having it. And so on. There is no way decadence will somehow make your life easier or more pleasant in meritocracy.

Degradation you see is just people choosing most easy and most pleasant way to live in current system that is designed to allow and breed degradation as much as possible. But there could be other systems.