'How to Rule the World': Stanford student journalist releases book about school's 'hidden' ecosystem

Theo Baker, a Stanford University senior and former student journalist, has published *How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University*, a book detailing the university’s hidden culture that fast-tracks select students into high-profile Silicon Valley roles. Baker, who arrived at Stanford at 17 to study computer science, became the youngest-ever George Polk Award winner after his reporting forced the resignation of then-President Marc Tessier-Lavigne. The book describes a parallel reality at Stanford where freshmen are recruited by venture capitalists, invited to exclusive mansion parties, and enrolled in uncredited classes like *How to Rule the World*, taught by a Silicon Valley CEO. Baker introduces campus slang—*highagency*, *NGMI*, and *wantapreneur*—reflecting an obsession with launching billion-dollar startups. Programs like TreeHacks, a major hackathon, serve as pipelines into Silicon Valley, offering teenagers access to funding, elite networking, and influence. Baker’s own investigative journey began with *The Stanford Daily*, where he probed concerns about scientific research under Tessier-Lavigne. After Stanford hired a law firm to counter his findings, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to remove the president. He argues the episode reflects broader pressures in a culture where ambition and networking often overshadow ethics. While Baker remains critical of Stanford’s lack of transparency, he emphasizes his love for the university and hopes the book will spark reforms. His work highlights how elite institutions shape future power structures, blending memoir with a call for accountability in higher education.