[js1138]

How exactly does this differ from what Linnaeus did two centuries earlier?

Linnaeus lacked several hundred thousand fossils that have been dug up since his lifetime, genomes for determining closeness of relationship at the DNA level, and a century of genetic research that studies the rather remarkable structural changes that can result from single mutations. Among other things.

Like asking the difference between B.F. Goodrich dropping a bit of rubber on the stove and Michelin designing your next set of tires.

[RightWhale]

Michio Kaku thinks that DNA changes 1% every million years. So if our DNA is 30% similar to corn, how long ago did corn and we split up?

[FairWitness]

Linnaeus lacked several hundred thousand fossils that have been dug up since his lifetime, genomes for determining closeness of relationship at the DNA level, and a century of genetic research that studies the rather remarkable structural changes that can result from single mutations. Among other things.

All true in terms of the data available, but I understood the question in terms of method - i.e., what to do with the data - I think that is more of a mathematical/analytical tools thing rather than a raw data thing.