The topic is not silly. It is fun to discuss and speculate.
It is however silly to argue about it as no one who engages in reasonable period oil changes experiences oil related failures given modern engines and oils.
Additionally, there are texts taking all sorts of positions favoring various oil change intervals or, as in the paper you cited, conclude there is no difference between 3k and 12k OCIs. That is, pick your interval - or even pick random intervals - it makes no real world difference.
Perhaps the experts provide us with the real reason the typical car manufacturer doubles the recommended length between oil changes when they begin offering free maintenance.
