The rules are pretty simple:
Small updates are for general discussion topic.
Small opinions are for general discussion topic.
Douchy requests are for general discussion topic.
Substantial discussion worthy updates can be posted.
Substantial opinions that have potential for decent discussion/debate can be posted.
Interactive contests, polls, games can be posted.
It's a little bit subjective, but not unfairly so. If you aren't sure if it's worth a topic, it's probably not. When shits not annoyingly out of control, new topics are more likely to fly. If you have an opinion you really want to start a topic for, type out a well constructed post and you'll be fine.
The reason we don't like topics is because when 15 stupid ones are created every day (like they used to be), it buries the good ones and makes this section a mess.
With that said, I think there have been topic worthy updates that never got posted outside of general discussion (like the Hoppus billboard interview), and that is disappointing. Just use a little judgment and there isn't a problem.
Great!
Make a new topic with these rules and sticky it.