If we look at subjects like video games and internet culture as more "escapist" topics, and subjects like religion and politics as more "reality-centric" topics, we can look at what general "kinds" of topics people tend to discuss, although there's overlap between them... and it seems the "reality-centric" subjects are thought of as the more "intellectual" ones, as if intellect itself made people focus on them. But what if it's not like that at all... or what if it's the other way around?
For one thing, there's users like Veckums and CastorTroy, who seem to frequently discuss and thoroughly understand a variety of both escapist subjects AND reality-centric subjects.
And then there's users like Erika the Ocelot and Shadowed Spirit Sage, who seem to focus more on escapist subjects, (and who've done some very clever deviantart drawings about such subjects) but when they do debate the more reality-centric subjects, both Erika and Sage can come across as very informed about them.
Which begs the question; is it really that "smarter" people tend to focus more on reality-centric debate... or would the smarter ones be the ones who avoid it? Or should it just be looked at as being separate altogether?
Separate factors altogether. It's all about preference of subject matter to the people. Also, "if they feel like it".
I used to jump in to every subject possible, except for such random walls of text like, let's say, Rish used to post. I don't consider myself "smart", but I do consider myself having a good intellect and I do tend to know more things than your average person... or rather, average American, unfortunately, chooses to know.
Now, I just don't feel like it anymore. I've had my share of debates and ramblings. Now it's only the things that tickle my pickle that I'll get all excited and bothered about.
After all, there's only so many times you can go over one topic and repeat what you believe/think over and over. Especially if nothing new's happened with said topic to merit any new debate.
Pretty much nailed that on the head, Ultra. ^^
I would post something more interesting, but I really don't feel like it. :p
~Shadowed Spirit Sage
I'd say smart people avoid these subjects because they're too smart to talk about it. Seriously. You're highly unlikely to change anyone's mind (especially if it's about religion) and you're probably just gonna get a headache. Nobody has a debate on abortion just for the fun of it.
For all your lightgun shooting needs and some other insanity too.
^ Agreed. Fortunately, most of the people here are nice about their opinions and don't try to force them down other people's throats.
It's one of the things I loved about Marble Garden when it was more active. Sure, there were some subjects that myself and other posters didn't see eye to eye on, but unlike some other debate forums I've visited, I've never felt like I was being attacked for having a different opinion. We have a lot of right friendly debaters here.
I tend to be a grade A lurker these days - I've always tried to hold to the idea that if I haven't anything particularly useful or interesting to add to the discussion, then I won't be posting. I might still read it. But I have to admit, escapist topics are more my metier - realist topics can just be so terribly depressing. Real life is hard enough without dwelling too much on it - it's much more fun to talk about favourite movies or cartoons or whatever.
DW
I'd say smart people avoid these subjects because they're too smart to talk about it. Seriously. You're highly unlikely to change anyone's mind (especially if it's about religion) and you're probably just gonna get a headache. Nobody has a debate on abortion just for the fun of it.
Who says people need to change each others' minds? At the very least, debating something helps you learn more about it as you learn more of a variety of perspectives on a subject and maybe have a bit more practice addressing them.
I agree, real life is hard enough. I don't post much at all, then again I never have right? Yay for being a MoFo lurker 
Actually, I'll go and post something that's been bothering me. Maybe I'll see the light and some of you might change my mind XD
As if the idea of smart people not focusing on reality-centric debate wasn't already appealing enough, I just tried RPing a couple of times recently.
And though it's technically fiction, it seems like some forms of it are arguably better for getting you to reflect on your views than most reality-centric debate would be. o.o
