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It's also a predictably lazy and obvious way to do this. No creativity at all. I can think of better ways to social engineer the HN community to spend time 'delivering the goods'.

> One of the most powerful assets you have as a student is that .edu email address.

I don't feel an .edu is even needed at all. I have an .edu as an alumni even and I graduated a long long long time ago.

Fwiw I did this also pre internet yes people do reveal all sorts of things to students. Old school though it's a bit more difficult.