I'm trying to devise an angle where I get to work on this.
Just unwavering belief in myself and my ability to learn anything. I'm skilling-up right now and seeing if I can find a peripheral angle to start some useful work.
I do not plan to take an academic route--in fact, a CS route. Michael Levin is vocally looking for people in CS (ML) to help work on things. Maybe you already qualify.
It's the most important problem: I'm going to work on it, with or without permission or endorsement.
Cheers.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSGA1wWSdWaTXNhz_YkoP...