I do not think people in general need maximum contrast. What they need is near optimal contrast and there are objective recommendations on how to achieved it.

I do not think people in general need maximum contrast. What they need is near optimal contrast and there are objective recommendations on how to achieved it. What we often have instead is barely readable light gray text in the name of "clean" design. Well it is not clean, it is moronic. If creators disrespects potential readers that much they might as well present blank screen and be done with it.