Sweden also is strong in similar areas due to that same effect, so the cause should apply to both.
I'd say a big effect is lack of respect for authority figures, people speak up when they see something wrong with no regards to status or authority, and managers tend to accept that. This makes experienced people learn from juniors much better than in many other cultures, which is great to explore new fields. So the game cracking scene that was a big part of the demo scene is just an expression of that strong anti authoritarian culture.
In Japan you have to respect your leader, and in USA you have to be an optimist and not criticize your manager, so their cultures doesn't really get the same effect. It is so much easier when you can just straight out say that someone's demo was bad at something and could probably be made better, and they just listen and improve without you having to be an authority figure.
I'd say a big effect is lack of respect for authority figures, people speak up when they see something wrong with no regards to status or authority, and managers tend to accept that. This makes experienced people learn from juniors much better than in many other cultures, which is great to explore new fields. So the game cracking scene that was a big part of the demo scene is just an expression of that strong anti authoritarian culture.
In Japan you have to respect your leader, and in USA you have to be an optimist and not criticize your manager, so their cultures doesn't really get the same effect. It is so much easier when you can just straight out say that someone's demo was bad at something and could probably be made better, and they just listen and improve without you having to be an authority figure.