Obviously something big going on behind the scenes with a lot of money.

This person makes an interesting point. Alternatives to centralized dns need to be simple, and maybe usernames would appeal to people.

https://aaronparecki.com/2020/09/24/21/

https://nameid.org/

Have any of the Namecoin camps, either the main group or Trade Runner, been in contact with this lady?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Elbakyan

https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/8/16985666/alexandra-elbakyan-sci-hub-open-access-science-papers-lawsuit

She seems to have dealt with hns

https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/01/14/sci-hub-leaves-handshake-blockchain-after-2-days-citing-centralization-concerns/

Her project would be the best to help remove politics from the internet.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22220738/twitter-sci-hub-suspended-indian-court-case

And she would help split the 'dns' argument into smart people vs stupid people so things could move along faster.