Hello Mac. Well railway modelling is certainly a multi-layered hobby. I would have liked to be a fly on the wall during that club discussion! .
I can see the point about even realism being subjective, but for me the difference lies in the intention: If someone is trying to replicate reality to perfection, then they are pursuing the "realist" approach - even if they are subconsciously making their own interpretations while doing so.
Anyway, I like the geology map. That's what I call research!