Stewart Brand is an American writer, best known for his work in the fields of technology, environmentalism, and futurism. He gained prominence in the 1960s as the creator of the Whole Earth Catalog, a publication that provided resources and tools for self-sufficiency and sustainable living. Brand's ideas have influenced various movements, including the counterculture and open-source software. In addition to his writing, Brand is a co-founder of the Long Now Foundation, which aims to promote long-term thinking and responsibility. He has also been involved in various projects related to biotechnology and urban planning, advocating for innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.