Theo Baker: The explosive book on Stanford University and venture capital
Among the Stanford University class of 2026, Theo Baker stands out. In his freshman year, he conducted a major journalistic investigation that led to the resignation of university president Marc Tessier-Lavigne. For his courage, he was awarded the prestigious George Polk Award, and Warner Brothers acquired the rights to produce a film based on his story. This is reported by Techcrunch.com reports.
In his recently published book, "How to Rule the World," Baker exposes Stanford's complex and sometimes hidden relationship with the venture capital industry. According to the author, he arrived at the university intending to become a programmer, but his work for the student newspaper unexpectedly placed him at the center of major political and academic scandals.
During the investigation, he faced not only pressure from university leadership but also conflicts of interest. Baker claims that a "parallel reality" exists within Stanford, where future billionaires and startup founders are provided with special privileges and resources. This environment makes it increasingly difficult to identify true talent.
In his book, Baker analyzes how influential circles at the university influence young students and have turned the educational institution into a playground for business projects. His work is considered an important document highlighting the negative consequences of corporate culture not only at Stanford but throughout the entire higher education system.
