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Musings on AI, Bikepacking, Past Girlfriends, Horse Facts, and Living Forever with Kenneth "Moron" Pararo (BPR #329)

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Oct 27, 2025

Guest

Kenneth "Moron" Pararo

Kenneth "Moron" Pararo, a thru-hiker and long-distance cyclist, shares his journey of quitting a tech job to embrace adventure. He delves into his cross-country bikepacking experiences and the freedom he finds in spontaneity. With enthusiasm for AI, he discusses how it can change our lives and even extend them. Moron reflects on past relationships with honesty and talks about the spiritual connections he feels in nature. The conversation wraps up with humorous debates, practical tips for outdoor escapades, and insights on navigating life’s complexities.

02:40:13

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INSIGHT

Travel As An Open-Ended Experiment

Kenneth Pararo treats long trips as a deliberate experiment in living simply and following curiosity one day at a time.
He values novelty and open-ended travel more than rigid routes or preconceived goals.

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ANECDOTE

Sobriety Improved His Daily Energy

Pararo quit drinking after noticing repeated podcast guests said quitting improved their lives and his sleep instantly improved.
He reports waking up alert and starting activity immediately without hangover drag.

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ANECDOTE

Found Cash Highlighted Road Travel Perks

Pararo scavenged a wallet with $170 cash on a Colorado road and used found items as small travel windfalls.
He prioritizes serendipity and resourcefulness while moving through corridors of high traffic.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Getting sober and how it improved sleep and routine

11:56 • 4min

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Cowboy camping behind a pit toilet in Golden

16:18 • 3min

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The long errand: biking Atlanta to Colorado

19:48 • 2min

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Why bikepacking appeals more than backpacking

22:05 • 3min

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Not wanting to be pigeonholed by identities

24:43 • 4min

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What cycling gives me: oxygen, thinking, and reflection

28:50 • 1min

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Reflecting on past relationships charitably

30:03 • 6min

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Does nature move you spiritually?

36:04 • 4min

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What motivates long-distance trips: movement and options

39:47 • 1min

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Why cafes and small towns matter on the road

40:53 • 5min

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How AI made work redundant and inspired change

45:57 • 53sec

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Building low-code AI automations for compliance work

46:50 • 2min

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AI optimism: curing disease and extending life

48:49 • 4min

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Fixing bodies or uploading consciousness?

52:35 • 2min

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Would you want to live forever?

54:37 • 8min

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Using Meta AI glasses on the road

01:02:46 • 6min

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Practical uses of wearable AI for mobility

01:08:47 • 40sec

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Concerns and faith about AI risks and benefits

01:09:26 • 12min

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Data centers, infrastructure, and nature's impact

01:21:54 • 4min

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Highlights from biking and hiking the Florida Trail

01:25:30 • 3min

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Why he abandoned part of his AT thru-hike for road walking

01:28:49 • 7min

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Creating daily podcast episodes: Book of Moron

01:35:40 • 5min

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Advice for aspiring trail podcasters and creators

01:41:09 • 8min

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Documenting monotony: find novelty in mundane trail moments

01:48:46 • 2min

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Bike comfort, saddle strategies, and heavy bike tradeoffs

01:50:37 • 8min

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Tent sex tips, listener question and the gas station bathroom challenge

01:59:00 • 10min

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The triple crown of people we don't understand

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Appalachian Trials

Zach Badger Davis

Appalachian Trials serves as a comprehensive guide for aspiring thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail, offering practical advice and mental strategies for success. Zach Davis covers essential topics such as gear selection, resupply planning, and navigation techniques. The book emphasizes the psychological challenges of long-distance hiking, providing insights into overcoming mental barriers and maintaining motivation. Drawing on personal experiences and interviews with successful thru-hikers, Davis offers a blend of practical tips and inspirational stories. This guide is designed to equip hikers with the knowledge and mindset needed to tackle the physical and mental demands of the Appalachian Trail.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Pacific Crest Trials

Zach Badger Davis

Pacific Crest Trials provides a comprehensive guide for individuals planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), covering essential aspects of preparation, execution, and mental resilience. Zach Davis offers detailed information on gear selection, navigation, and resupply strategies tailored to the unique challenges of the PCT. The book addresses common pitfalls and provides insights into managing the physical and psychological demands of long-distance hiking. Drawing from firsthand experiences and expert advice, Davis combines practical tips with motivational anecdotes. Designed to equip hikers with the necessary knowledge and confidence, Pacific Crest Trials serves as a valuable resource for successfully navigating one of the world's most iconic trails.

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Hiking from Home

A Long Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends

Juliana Chauncey

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• Mentioned in 359 episodes

Sapiens

A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic 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

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