John Zerzan is an American anarcho-primitivist philosopher and author known for his critiques of modern civilization. He argues that technology and industrial society have led to alienation, environmental destruction, and a loss of meaningful human connections. Zerzan advocates for a return to a simpler, pre-industrial way of life, emphasizing the importance of community and nature. His works, including Running on Emptiness and Elements of Refusal, explore themes of anti-civilization and the impact of language and symbolic thought on human existence. Zerzan's ideas have influenced various movements that seek to challenge the status quo and promote a more sustainable and connected way of living.