> it’s a lack of clarity by both OP and the project website about what’s important

As a former academic, I can immediately spot this website as an academic paper with a bit of code on the side. Academics do this kind of thing constantly because they get kudos for it in academic circles. Yes, there is a lack of clarity (if you are not an academic). That's why I pointed this out for what it is.

> If the code was irrelevant, it should be removed from the website so that the audience could focus solely on the paper.

I mean, you're not wrong. But then they wouldn't get as many kudos from their academic buddies.