Theo Baker Cracks Open Stanford’s Faustian Bargain With Silicon Valley

Theo Baker Cracks Open Stanford’s Faustian Bargain With Silicon Valley

From On with Kara Swisher by Vox Media

June 4, 2026 · 57 min

About this episode

Kara Swisher interviews Theo Baker about his investigation into Stanford's relationship with Silicon Valley and the implications of power dynamics within the university.

Kara talks to Theo Baker, a Stanford University student journalist and the youngest-ever George Polk Award winner, about his new book, "How to Rule the World." In it, Baker unpacks his investigation into former Stanford president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne over research misconduct in labs he oversaw. He breaks down how the university reacted and what it says about power at Stanford and in the Valley Theo reveals the “Stanford inside Stanford” and the university’s lucrative, no-boundaries relationship with Silicon Valley’s tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. He and Kara discuss secret power networks, “builders” versus “wantapreneurs” and whether Stanford is a university or, as one professor put it, an “incubator with dorms.” Plus: Theo weighs in on the backlash against AI among young people. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Kara Swisher

Guest: Theo Baker

Topics covered

  • Stanford University
  • Silicon Valley
  • research misconduct
  • power dynamics
  • AI backlash
  • student journalism

Keywords

  • Stanford
  • Silicon Valley
  • Theo Baker
  • Marc Tessier-Lavigne
  • research misconduct
  • AI backlash
  • student journalist

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford University, Silicon Valley

Books & works: How to Rule the World

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