I've sort of renormalized to focus my attention at least somewhat more on worlds where for some reason academic/industry AI approaches don't work, even if that requires some sort of deus ex machina

I apologize for asking, but I just want to clarify something. When you write 'deus ex machina', you're not solely using the term in a metaphorical sort of way, are you? Because, if you mean what it sort of sounds like you mean, at least some of your public positions suddenly make a lot more sense.