Today marks the first installment of “Searched on the Hill,” a series where The Spectator interviews a student based on their search history. Each student is randomly selected by a computer program. Students volunteer recent things they have searched and our team uncovers some hidden Hamilton curiosities. We want to know what Hamilton students want to know!

This week, one of The Spectator’s Editors-in-Chief was interviewed to get this series started. In the future, no one on The Spec editorial team will be included in the random selection pool (if you want to find out what we’re searching for you’ll have to ask us nicely).

Search one: “where is moo deng hippo”

Why?

After learning that the viral sensation Moo Deng would be subject to 24-hour surveillance cameras to be broadcasted to the world, my friends wanted to learn whether surveillance is pervasive in Moo Deng’s country or if it was just reserved for the hippo herself.

Are you interested in surveillance or just slick hippos?

Moo Deng was a special case that piqued my interest both because she is slimy and sweet but also because surveillance is a topic I am quite interested in. When I was abroad, I took a class called “Who’s Watching?” where we examined how photography can be used to observe and control people without their knowledge. My biggest takeaway is that someone is ALWAYS watching.

That sounds like a cool class. What’s the most interesting class you’ve taken/are taking at Hamilton?

Issues in Education with Professor Chenyu Wang. It was cool and meta to critically analyze educational systems and hierarchies while being a student at a higher ed institution. Would highly recommend taking it to get a new perspective.

Name some issues outside of education.

Watching TV without closed captions. When the FoodU does not reflect the Food U Get at McEwen. How frequently my laptop overheats. The lack of good new sitcoms with ensemble casts.

Search two: “gilmore girls episode guide”

Why?

My suite has been watching Gilmore Girls now that fall is upon us. Someone watched an episode without me and although I’ve seen the show eight times in its entirety, I wanted to look up the previous episode summary to see what I missed because I felt left out.

What else passes the fall vibe check?

A movie that passes the fall vibe check is Good Will Hunting. The poster uses earth tones but also it takes place on a college campus which gives…school. A fall song is “Calling all the Monsters” by China Anne McClain because it gets me in the holiday spirit and ready for Halloween.

What makes a good Halloween costume?

A good Halloween costume should be clever and cute, however it shouldn’t be so clever that someone can’t understand it after it’s been explained to them once in a crowded, loud room. A Halloween costume that leans too far into clever that it’s actually dumb would be mine and my roommates’ concept for a group “Cone” costume. In this hypothetical, each of us planned to dress up as a different type of cone, e.g. “Traffic cone,” “Ice cream cone,” the shape cone, and “Cone-an O’ Brien.” This is a costume that doesn’t actually make sense.

Search three: “can you see when someone followed you on instagram”

Why?

I plead the fifth.

What do you know about the law?

I know many things about the law. Not only have I seen many legal movies like Legally Blonde or Erin Brockovich or My Cousin Vinny, but I also admit that I participated in Mock Trial as a high schooler. It was kind of like organized make-believe.

Was that your worst quality in high school?

No, I also played organized make-believe as a member of my high school debate team. I try to forget this quality about myself but when I watch people like J.D. Vance speak during the VP debate, I am reminded of the most pompous members of my high school teammates.

Any debate kid representation that you’re proud of?

Colin Jost. Idina Menzel. I’ll get back to you on that.

Beyond the search: what’s your major?

Government.

Favorite branch?

Legislative.

Favorite tree?

Birch.

Top three things?

Raspberry lime seltzer, the Hamilton college student directory, warm lighting.

Where do you live on campus?

Babbitt.

Best NYT game?

I’m the best at the Mini, but my favorite is Spelling Bee.

Favorite Commons Creation (CC)?

Makeshift Mocha: half coffee, half hot chocolate.

Biggest win?

I won a guess how many candy corn are in the jar contest in fourth grade (I looked at the sticker under the jar).

iPad kid or leash kid?

I’m actively an iPad kid but I’d rather have a leash kid — it sounds convenient.

Next search?

Former debate kids + celebrities + good + cool