AI optimism: curing disease and extending life

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Kenneth Pararo, known on trail as Moron. This is a podcast we've been wanting to make happen for several years now, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Moron is a thru-hiker, long-distance cyclist, philosopher, hopeless romantic, futurist, and most importantly, just a real solid hang.

We learn about why he's all in on AI- as evidenced by him riding cross country rocking his Meta AI glasses, why he quit is corporate tech job to more permanently pursue adventure and experience, how he completed one AT thru-hike and quit another a couple hundred miles from the finish, turning it into an extended road walk to the Canadian border, only to turn around for some more road walking and eventually an extended bike ride, and how he plans his adventuring essentially one day at a time, letting fate largely guide his next move.

We wrap the show with tips for safe and steamy tent sex, a contentious debate about using gas station bathrooms exclusively for a year for one million dollars, and the triple crown of people we just don't understand.

Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.

Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer's Cnoc collab at sawyer.com.

[divider]

Interview with Kenneth "Moron" Pararo

• Moron's Instagram
• Moron's Podcast

Time stamps & Questions

00:04:12 - Apply to blog for the Trek, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and subscribe to Backpacker Radio on Youtube!

00:09:45 - Introducing Moron

00:11:28 - Tell us about getting sober

00:17:14 - Discussion about sleeping behind a pit toilet in Golden

00:19:05 - What are you up to right now?

00:21:40 - How do you pick roads to bike on?

00:24:40 - Who isn't Moron?

00:29:00 - Discussion about Moron's past girlfriends

00:34:20 - Has nature always been more noise than signal for you?

00:36:25 - Did you start the AT with any preconceived notion about how you'd feel about it spiritually?

00:37:50 - How do you pick what trails and routes you do?

00:40:15 - Where are the best cafes?

00:41:15 - What was your former profession?

00:47:20 - What are your thoughts about AI?

00:52:40 - Would you want to live forever?

00:55:30 - How do you stay comfortable on a bike?

00:57:00 - What are the benefits of bikepacking over hiking?

00:58:55 - How do you decide where to camp each night?

01:02:00 - Discussion about Moron's AI glasses

01:07:30 - Do you worry about any of the negative consequences of AI?

01:11:15 - Do you worry about the affordability of AI?

01:19:45 - How will AI influence nature and ecosystems?

01:23:30 - Let's talk about the Florida Trail!

01:29:40 - You've carried your bike while hiking?

01:30:30 - Why is your bike so heavy?

01:33:10 - Tell us about Trail Correspondents

01:37:45 - Do you like the sound of your own voice? Do you have tips for producing audio?

01:42:40 - What are your tips for making something interesting out of monotony?

01:45:50 - Tell us about working on a horse farm

01:50:30 - Have you held onto horse culture since?

01:52:10 - Horse Facts: Give us some rapid fire horse facts

01:56:24 - Tell us about biking through a winter storm

01:59:00 - Discussion about Moron's future biking plans

02:03:40 - Gossamer Gear Question: What's your number one irrational fear?

02:05:15 - Where can people keep up with you?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: Tips for Safe and Steamy Tent Sex by Redacted

QOTD: You get one million dollars per year but you can only use gas station bathrooms

Triple Crown of people you don't understand (ex. morning people)

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

[divider]

Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.

Sign up for the Trek's newsletter

Leave us a voicemail!

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.

Advertise on Backpacker Radio

Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.

Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.

Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.

Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.

A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.