Stanford Needs Pirates Again
A recent Stanford Review meeting highlighted the university's defining tension, with one attendee stating:
Stanford shouldn’t be the Navy; it should be the Pirates.
This quote encapsulates the struggle between order and openness, procedure and disruption, safety and courage. The Navy represents the former, while the Pirates embody the latter.
- The Navy stands for order, procedure, and safety.
- The Pirates represent openness, disruption, and courage.
The Pirates have suffered a symbolic blow with the loss of their home, the lake, which has led to a decline in piracy. The draining of the lake has seen the Pirates' vital energies dissipate, with a significant decline during Covid.
The Navy's increasing dominance has also led to the loss of independence for the Band, the shutdown of Greek life, and the closure of theme houses, effectively taming the last remaining havens of piracy that alumni fondly remember.
Author's summary: Stanford's loss of piracy affects its culture.