SRSLY. 
I actually read a transcript of the conversation they had.  It was something like…

Prof. Mora: The Bitcoin network is a waste of energy. I assign you to prove it in a short paper and encourage you to make any assumptions you want about growth without researching the difficulty adjustment, hardware efficiency upgrades, energy markets, stranded energy, the mempool, load balancing, or renewable energy sources. Really, just extrapolate however you want. Don’t bother interviewing anyone who actually uses or secures the network. Bitcoin is bad and, remember, it’s a waste of energy. Also, does anyone know a guy named de Vries? 

Et al:  Aye Aye, Captain!  Wow, data science is easy!!