Theo Baker, a senior at Stanford University, stands out in an era of declining journalism enrollment. Having already made a significant impact with his investigative reporting, Baker is now poised to challenge the powerful dynamics of Silicon Valley's startup culture with his upcoming book, "How to Rule the World." This highly anticipated release promises an explosive look into how venture capitalists operate within the tech industry, particularly their influence on Stanford students.
Early Triumphs in Investigative Journalism
Baker first garnered national attention as a college freshman when his reporting for The Stanford Daily led to the resignation of Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne. His investigation uncovered decades of alleged research misconduct, thrusting Baker—just one month into his college career—into a world of anonymous letters, stakeouts, and confidential sources, according to his publisher. High-powered lawyers attempted to discredit his work, but by the end of that year, Tessier-Lavigne had stepped down. Baker became the youngest-ever recipient of the prestigious George Polk Award, one of journalism's highest honors. The impact of his story was further solidified when Warner Bros and acclaimed producer Amy Pascal secured the film rights in a competitive auction.
Exposing Silicon Valley's "Money-Soaked" Subculture
While the Stanford scandal put Baker on the map, "How to Rule the World," set to release on May 19th—three weeks before he graduates—aims to cement his reputation as a rare young journalist willing to scrutinize Silicon Valley's startup machine. The book delves into how venture capitalists allegedly treat Stanford students as "a commodity," luring favored undergraduates with slush funds, shell companies, yacht parties, and funding offers even before they develop concrete business ideas. This aggressive pursuit, Baker contends, is driven by the hunt for the next trillion-dollar founder.
“I watched in real time as my peers were taught to cut corners and plied with enormous wealth by people who wanted to exploit their talent,” Baker, who turns 21 next month, told Axios.
Drawing on over 250 interviews with a diverse group including students, CEOs, VCs, Nobel laureates, and three Stanford presidents, the book seeks to expose what Baker describes as a "weird, money-soaked subculture that has so much influence over the rest of the world."
A Unique Path in Modern Journalism
Baker's dedication to investigative reporting is perhaps unsurprising given his lineage; he is the son of New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and The New Yorker's Susan Glasser. While many of his peers chase venture capital funding and lucrative startup salaries, Baker chose a different path, spending his sophomore year reporting and taking his junior year off to write, including two months at the renowned Yaddo writers' retreat.
This choice is particularly striking amidst the current challenges facing journalism, where traditional programs struggle with enrollment and media outlets face relentless layoffs. Baker represents an exciting and increasingly uncommon phenomenon: a star student committing his career to accountability journalism. His book is expected to capture the attention of countless college students and will almost certainly make significant waves within Silicon Valley.
