So why would it take off there instead of in a larger city with more resources?

I'm not disagreeing with you completely, but I would like to know more about what other factors you would consider to have been more impactful. I don't know that you really need hippies around to get that kind of 'california capitalist' mentality either tbf.

It won the transistor lottery, then the money oiled the machine.

Recent events prove that there was nothing ideological about it. Once a positive feedback loop is established, it's difficult to break

The money would follow ideology, so it depends on where you think that taxonomical line lies.

Now it goes beyond money: they are aiming at shaping societies. From mars colonies (imagine musks tantrums when they vote him out) to project 2025 type of political works.

When you have too much money, it's kinda boring to keep making more of them. You want self-expression to the max extent the society will allow you.

I don't think those pass the sniff test, but grand narratives help to fuel the stocks and invesment bubble

Some of those hippies are some of the most vile people I’ve ever met anyway.