Stanford’s Star Reporter Takes on Silicon Valley’s ‘Money-Soaked’ Startup Culture
While journalism as a major has seen shrinking enrollment for years, Stanford University’s Theo Baker is an outlier. He’s doubled down on old-school investigative reporting, and it’s paying off spectacularly.
From Resignation to Book Deal
As a college freshman, Baker’s reporting for The Stanford Daily led to the resignation of Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne. His publisher notes that Baker received anonymous letters, conducted stakeouts, and tracked down confidential sources, all while high-powered lawyers tried to discredit his work.
Challenging Silicon Valley’s Startup Machine
However, his upcoming book, “How to Rule the World,” may cement his reputation as the rare young journalist willing to challenge Silicon Valley’s startup machine. The book promises an explosive look at how venture capitalists treat Stanford students as “a commodity.”
Exposing the ‘Weird, Money-Soaked Subculture’
Moreover, Baker’s book aims to expose what he describes as a “weird, money-soaked subculture that has so much influence over the rest of the world.” Drawing on over 250 interviews with students, CEOs, VCs, Nobel laureates, and three Stanford presidents, the book is set to make waves in Silicon Valley.
A Star Student Betting on Accountability Journalism
In addition, Baker’s choice to focus on accountability journalism is striking against the backdrop of journalism’s current struggles. While traditional journalism programs fail to fill classes and media outfits face relentless layoffs, Baker represents something exciting and increasingly uncommon.
Conclusion
Whether he’s a harbinger of renewed interest in investigative reporting remains to be seen, but we’d guess his book will capture the attention of plenty of college students — and it will almost certainly make waves in Silicon Valley while doing it.
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