I don't think this is an accurate distinction at all. Conspicuous consumption is everywhere, even within techies - you really don't have to reach as far as Jersey Shore and the Kardashians to find people who wear their electronics like jewelry.

Hell, even Uber is conspicuous consumption in a lot of cases. Why roll up to the club in a cab when you can do so in a sleek, black SUV? And we know how popular that is with the technology crowd.

The "techies" have not rejected this use of their domain, they're just a little peeved that they no longer have monopoly of using technology as bling.