A numerical model like this is cool, but personally I think it can never be proved. How to prove or dis-prove geological theories about the detailed earth evolution on the scale of millions to billions of years is a big challenge.
The author was sort of like me. When I entered my Ph.D., I had a dream of finding something really big. But I was disappointed to find that those low hanging fruits of big questions had been answered. Those left were impossible to answer with current technology. People were just guessing the answers by some hints, rather than evidences. I decided to leave to do a very ordinary job after getting my Ph.D.. I do not regret it. What I have learned is if you really like a subject, you should be fine with solving those trivial problems, while enjoy the fact that the real questions are there to be answered, but you may not see them answered in your lifetime. Otherwise, don't do a Ph.D. in theory directions.
My undergrad university is in Wuhan. I can personally confirm this since all my family and friends in China live almost like normal now. If I am being honest, I am disappointed and astonished to see how anti-intellectual, selfish, and conceited some Americans are. I do not like China's politics, which is one of the reasons that I do not go back. But I do not think U.S. should blame China for being in such a bad situation. More disappointedly, I do not see it getting better... I do not believe U.S. can contain it without vaccine.