We're a pedantic bunch. I've long noted the tendency of people to eviscerate a casual comment in an online conversation just because it does not extend to encyclopedic thoroughness. Elsewhere I was just upbraided for failing to note that Switzerland was arguably(!) not independent for 0.6% of its 800 year history.

People found it an interesting topic and started discussing it.

You're right, this conversation is useless. Let's get back to pragmatically discussing how old whales are.