The phylogenetic tree model is used because it makes useful predictions about the world, not because it represents the way the world actually is.
Yes. I'm not denying that such models do have use. But on the other hand people outside of biology do often consider them to represent the world as it actually is.
I think we're in agreement here.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
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