Stanford’s star reporter takes on Silicon Valley’s ‘money-soaked’ startup culture

Theo Baker stands out in a field where media studies are witnessing a decline in interest. As a senior at Stanford University, he has embraced traditional investigative journalism, yielding remarkable results. Baker first garnered attention as a freshman when his reporting for The Stanford Daily triggered the resignation of Stanford's president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne. Within just a month of starting college, he uncovered serious allegations of research misconduct that spanned two decades. This endeavor led him to receive anonymous communications, conduct surveillance, and pursue confidential sources, all while facing legal challenges aimed at undermining his findings. By the end of that year, Baker had not only seen Tessier-Lavigne step down but also earned the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the George Polk Award, a prestigious accolade in journalism. His impactful story soon attracted the interest of Warner Bros and producer Amy Pascal, who won the rights to adapt it into a film. However, it is his forthcoming book, set to release on May 19, that may solidify his status as a bold young journalist willing to critique the startup ecosystem of Silicon Valley. Titled 'How to Rule the World,' the book promises to deliver a striking examination of how venture capitalists view Stanford students as mere commodities. It highlights how these investors entice select undergraduates with financial perks, luxury events, and funding opportunities, often before they have even conceived a business idea in their pursuit of the next major entrepreneurial success. “I watched in real time as my peers were taught to cut corners and were given access to immense wealth by those looking to capitalize on their abilities,” Baker remarks. The work draws from over 250 interviews with a diverse array of individuals, including students, CEOs, venture capitalists, Nobel laureates, and three Stanford presidents. Baker aims to unveil what he describes as a 'strange, money-driven subculture' that wields considerable influence beyond the university. Baker's background, growing up around prominent journalists—his father being Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, and his mother, Susan Glasser, a writer at The New Yorker—has undoubtedly shaped his career path. While many of his contemporaries pursue venture capital and lucrative startup positions, Baker chose to invest his sophomore year in reporting and took a break in his junior year to write, including a two-month stint at the Yaddo writers’ retreat. In a media landscape faced with challenges like dwindling enrollments in journalism programs and ongoing layoffs, Baker embodies a refreshing and rare commitment to accountability journalism. Whether he signals a resurgence in investigative reporting remains uncertain, but his upcoming book is poised to resonate with college students and undoubtedly stir conversations in Silicon Valley.