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I think there is a bit of confusion about what a hippie is because like any subculture its definition shifts over time. As more people identified as "hippie" as it approached mainstream acceptance the definition becomes difficult to pin.
For example, one can suggest that the hippies were counter culture, and during the 60s that is very much the case. As a group they did things (grew their hair, protested the war, dropped out and lit up) that *massively* offended the mainstream (i.e. their parent's generation). Youth like to do this, generally speaking, and have been doing to some extent for generations (at one time big band music was really out there!).
Having been a child of the 70s and 80s (i was born in 68), I generally hated the hippies. they represent a) my parent's generation (not that my parents were even close to being hippies), the baby boomers b) a movement whose ideas of peace and love, while commendable in general, were naive beyond the pale.
Most of the trappings of hippie culture - the clothes, the patchouli, much of the music I just don't like. the strong associations with political and cultural naiveté, with a generational movement that eventually lost its way (it morphed into the hedonism of the 70s) and with dewy nostalgia (more importantly someone else's nostalgia - I have a lot of issues with nostalgia in general but that's best left to another discussion).
You might say, "what's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding" but I would counter that elvis costello was no hippie.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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