The glut of recent pizzeria news in Southwest Florida supports the theory that pizza may be the circle of life. Most people passionately care about pizza and have deep-seated personal preferences about pizza.

New York or Chicago, hand-tossed slices or cracker-thin squares, plain or pineapple, handheld or knife and fork; it’s often best not to broach the subject. These hot topics lead to no-win situations. Never discuss politics, religion or pizza in polite company. That being said, there’s a lot not to talk about lately.