As a physics grad that curve fitting section was hard to read. Only very low degree polynomial fits can ever be used, through some coincidence with the underlying trend, for extrapolation. A polynomial fit is a simple and easy method to fit a curve which you can use for interpolation if you want. Unless you have some clearly identifiable trend, then extrapolation doesn't mean anything no matter what curve fitting method you use.

It's like criticizing a Taylor series for diverging from the target function as you get far away from its centre. No shit that'll happen. It's the name of the game.

I do have to agree that that section read a lot like satire.