in thinking the Daily Mail could be creating fake usernames to generate a discussion?

[FUNM]

There are lots of usernames like 'User373848u309809' or 'USER54838364' etc - could this be the Daily Mail starting a thread, getting a heated debate going and then having content for their articles?
Or am I overthinking

Why would such a wonderful, well rounded, nice, kind, tolerant publication do this?

How very dare you OP?

I am joking of course, you re probably right!

I reckon they've been doing that for years.

I used to think that, until they lifted one of my threads!

No. Mumsnet changed the software to generate random usernames when people signed up, that's where the 'user' comes from.

@margaret ah mystery solved lol

Yea what MargaretTwatyer said- it automatically gives you a "user" username with you sign up so it's people who just haven't changed it

I think even the dm can probably work out how to change username. They'll be subtly using something like HelenaMN or something so we don't suspect.
If they're really undercover then it'll be IhatetheDM.

There's too much fixation with the Daily Maily on MN. Many of us don't read it. Given the 1000s of threads and posts here per day, hardly any are regurgitated in the 'papers'. Really most of us aren't that notable and I think some here might feel their words are more notable than they really are. Honestly even the Mail isn't interested in most of our shite.

But I don't think not being arsed to choose a user name when you join was a "thing" until recently, was it?

They're like a cockroach infestation at the mo.

Really most of us aren't that notable...Honestly even the Mail isn't interested in most of our shite.

Speak for yourself.

I got quoted in the DM - it felt like joining the mile high club. You know you shouldn't want to but...

Congratulations Butch, you lucky girl :)

'I spotted my neighbour flaunting her curves in the garden of her £450,000 home. AIBU to think she's a saucy minx?'

Very good squoosh - property price nod is always a DM giveaway. A friend pointed it out in the Maddie McCann coverage and now I can't unsee it.

But the plethora of User#1010203 names are separate to any Daily Mail interest/disinterest. I don't know if I've ever been quoted in the Mail or elsewhere, don't care, don't read it, just post and go mostly..

You have to post 'cuntymccuntface' three times to stop the press linking to a thread.

As a PP said, the username123456789 is a Mumsnet setup but I definitely think so-called-journalists start threads to put in the paper. Must be pretty embarrassing to your peers though to admit what you do to get stories published whilst other actual-journalists do the job properly.

I got contacted by a journo after I started a thread on here. I replied with "I'm happy to talk about it but I didn't really do much" and they went ahead and quoted me "mn user said ' I'm happy to talk about it but I didn't really do much' "