Top Laners: Carry vs Tank?

Hey everyone, so I just wanted to start this discussion in the hopes of finding out the state of top lane as I'm having a hard time reading the meta. More specifically the discussion between should I play a carry laner or a tank laner?

There are two sides to this argument that need to be addressed.

Tank Laners:

1. Take a lot of punishment
2. Have lots of utility for a team
3. Can control teamfights

Downsides are pretty obvious. You do no damage and if your team cannot follow up and provide the damage, the whole team is destroyed.

Carry Laners:

1. Do Lots of Damage (Phreak? is that you?)
2. Lots of carry potential (hence the names)
3. Can get picks easily and can help your team get ahead

Downsides are that there is a lot of pressure on you to carry solo, and if you try to split push, you get ganked by the whole enemy team. The next is if you do not have a person to soak up damage, everyone gets deleted.

Thoughts?

(BTW, am low bronze, but need some general help)

Thanks, SnowmobilingSeal (Top Main)