I’ll agree with you, to a point, especially on the “something similar” line. The common ancestor that far back was certainly a tree-dwelling primate-type. Part of the problem with such discussions is that the classifications we use for species today don’t really translate backwards – it would be just as (in)accurate to say that ancestor was human as saying it was a monkey. Neither one really applies, but both can fit if you relax the definition.

The problem is, such distinctions are lost on those who are searching desperately for arguments against the concept, when a debating point can be created provided you ignore details and fudge definitions. It’s a shame that Natural Selection is touched on so lightly in so many schools (at least in the US,) or such dishonest tactics would be a lot more obvious.

You are absolutely correct in noting that human egotism plays a big role in the lack of acceptance of evolution.

I hope you had a good Darwin Day.