I generally agree, but this point of view shifts the blame from one big, evil, soulless PE firm to thousands of small shops owners that just wants to "retire comfortably". It's not easy to sell because one can easily sees oneself as that small owner, but not as a big evil PE.

It's the same with gentrified zones: yes there are some dark patterns going on as well, but mainly is previous, smaller owners that want to make big bucks by selling to someone with money from outside rather than someone local like themselves for less money.

Sorry you're right, I should have been more careful with the phrasing there. The structures, risks, and incentives that make business owners believe and act like this are real, and that's the poison I was pointing at.

I'm not trying to put all of the blame on individuals responding to the pressures being applied to them. But neither am I accepting their abdication of the responsibility to act with honor and courage in the face of those pressures.