That's why the TOS version was better/superior to the TNG version. It was simply "identification of self or mission. No interference with the social development of said planet. No references to space, or the fact that there are other worlds, or more advanced civilisations." So, no prohibition against interference, just don't get caught. Don't expose yourself as alien.
In TOS finding some way to save a primitive or pre warp civilization from extinction was not a violation of the Prime Directive so long as the natives didn't detect alien involvement. "Paradise Syndrome" is one example.
Agreed. That's a much saner interpretation of the Prime Directive.