How to Rule the World
Theo Baker's memoir, 'How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University,' chronicles his impactful freshman year at Stanford. His investigative reporting led to the resignation of the university's president over misconduct, showcasing the challenges of confronting powerful institutions. The book offers insights into the dynamics of power, ethics, and the unique experiences of being a young journalist in a prestigious environment.
- ▪Theo Baker's reporting in the Stanford Daily resulted in the resignation of President Marc Tessier-Lavigne.
- ▪He became the youngest recipient of the George Polk Award for his investigative work.
- ▪The memoir explores the intersection of power, ethics, and the university's venture capital culture.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Home » BlogHow to Rule the WorldI read Theo Baker's How to Rule the World in the last 24 hours. It works on a lot of levels at once - memoir, investigation, a study in how power dismisses inconvenient reporting, and a master class in what not to do at the board level.May 21, 2026 · 3 min · Brad FeldI read Theo Baker’s How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University in the last 24 hours. I was entranced, horrified, and amused, often on the same page.Baker arrived at Stanford as a seventeen-year-old freshman in 2022. By the end of his first year, his reporting in the Stanford Daily had forced the resignation of the university’s president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, over research misconduct. He became the youngest person ever to win the George Polk Award.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Feld Thoughts.
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