I wouldn't say we drop topics when they become heated. Actually... maybe we do, but I wouldn't say it's because they get heated that we stop. I think we just get to a point where everyone's said all that they have to say for the moment. And maybe one or more persons read something that they needed to let simmer a while. That certainly happens to me every once in a while.

Also, when we "go deeper" on stuff, the time and effort required (by me personally) to contribute something really meaningful to the discussion are just not available.

... Wait a sec, did you just call Starbucks "virtuous"?