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🌱 Are Stanford students quietly “larping” their way through AI-era college?

Stanford, California Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hi Stanford! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Are Stanford students quietly “larping” their way through AI-era college?
  • How Stanford’s startup hype machine may be warping student priorities
  • How a new Stanford Law course is rethinking AI-era legal careers

Also on today's calendar: Silicon Valley Kids' Book Fair coming to Cupertino THIS SATURDAY and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: There was a pink man who lived in a one story pink house. Everything he had was pink. What color were the stairs? 🤔 (Answer below!)

☑️ Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official California election resources: Find a ballot drop box or vote center | Register to vote | Check your registration | Absentee, mail and early voting.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A couple of showers, with a high of 67 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Fog will lift in the morning, temps: high: 68, low: 49.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and delightful, with a high of 71 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. What's up with larp culture? (stanforddaily.com) — On Stanford’s campus, “larp” has evolved from a fantasy-gaming term into student slang for pretending to be more capable or authentic than you really feel, often boosted by AI tools. The writer unpacks how rising expectations, AI-assisted work, and resume-driven culture push many Stanford students to quietly “larp” through internships, projects, and even daily life while hiding their weaknesses.
   

2. The Myth of Down Rounds (stanfordreview.org) — Stanford students and recent dropouts are central to a critique of how venture capital chases ever-rising startup valuations and glorifies fundraising over real businesses. The piece dissects “AUM maxing,” tranched rounds, and the near-disappearance of down rounds, warning that this culture especially distorts priorities on campuses like Stanford, where valuations and hype often overshadow building sustainable companies.
   

3. Charting the Future of the Law Firm (stanford.edu) — At Stanford Law in Stanford a new short course is immersing students in how AI, private equity, and shifting career paths are reshaping law firms. Through guest speakers and debates, students explore who will fund innovation, how young lawyers will be trained when AI handles routine work, and what these changes could mean for professional ethics and public access to legal services.
   

4. Genetic Study Tracks the First Hawaiians (archaeology.org) — Researchers based at Stanford in Stanford analyzed genetic data from Polynesian communities to trace how the first Hawaiians migrated across the Pacific in small, bottlenecked groups. Their findings suggest Native Hawaiians are most closely related to people from Rapa Nui, with Mangareva likely serving as a key launching point, offering fresh insight into long-distance voyaging and population history.
   

5. Stanford Anti-Israel Activist Explains How She Escaped the Groupthink (honestreporting.com) — A Stanford student recounts how she shifted from leading an anti-Israel encampment on campus after October 7 to questioning the movement’s slogans and ultimately embracing a pro-Israel stance. Her story, highlighted by a pro-Israel media outlet, portrays Stanford’s early and influential role in campus protests while criticizing what she describes as ideological conformity among fellow students.
   

📸 Around Stanford

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Stanford University posted a job opening for Associate Director- Hybrid Opportunity in Stanford. Apply here.
  • Spar, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser Part time in Stanford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Stanford here.

Ok Stanford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "There was a pink man who lived in a one story pink house. Everything he had was pink. What color were the stairs?" — There were no stairs. (Thank you Ro B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Stanford

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Stanford

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.