Dear Library Answer Person,
I have two friends who are currently embroiled in a heated debate about the phylogeny of bears. One friend asserts that polar bears and grizzly bears share a common ancestor. The other maintains that polar bears are descendants of the grizzly bear. Despite numerous attempts to find a conclusive answer, they have yet to settle the conflict. I was wondering if you could lend your expertise.
Thank you,
The Mediator
Really?! You have two friends who are “embroiled in a heated debate about the phylogeny of bears.” I’m not buying it. And if it’s true, good gracious (!), you need to get some new friends. My solution: let your two friends go at each other and find out which is the grizzly and which is the salmon.