Gentrification is happening, sure. I agree.
I disagree with you as to the primary causes. Refer to my earlier reply.

Hacker culture:
Well, I've spent some time in both cultures. From the anarchist hacker squats of Calafou, Spain...to the trendy offices of Kreuzberg.

I get value from both...personally. Approach is purely individual, it is a personal means of expression. I like both, for different reason.