Does anyone else get the feeling that we are just media fodder now?

[CountessDracula]

There seem to be more and more requests for our input into random "studies" (with money spinning books/tv programs/articles resulting)

I don't mind one bit when MNHQ get the dosh but I bet most of the time they don't

I think they should up the fee for media requests SUBSTANTIALLY

Why is it lazy to go, when you need opinions from women, to one of the only places where women have very little agenda or impetus to tell you anything but the truth about how they feel about a subject that you need to know about?

I don't get this 'lazy' journalism thing, I'm a journo and sometimes get info from forums (not mn). The internet is a medium of information, going to the effort of finding mn and paying for and posting a request for info for a story is NOT lazy journalism. It is just a way of getting information and opinions, and bloody good opinions at that.

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I think it is a bit opportunistic. There are a lot of clever, witty and articulate people on here and some of the best material comes about precisely because of the collective bouncing off and sparking between posts. I know journalists use their own words so it isn't plagiarism but Mumsnet could be seen as like a free focus group or ideas engine at a journalist's disposal.

But they are not interviewing anyone, they are getting ideas and soundbites. And mn own copyright on everything we post, which is why GF got the law on her side.

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Ooops

I agree, unless a media request has been made then finding yourself "quoted" or in CD's case mis"quoted" on a normal thread is most disconcerting. IMO

I have scaled right back on any real input in the last year.

I also think we(the oldies) never fully recovered from the Mothercare invasion, this in itself is a difficult one as it generated the interest/business/advertising needed for MN to endure.

However it brought with it...... a whole host of new problems.(good manners prevent me from posting what I am really thinking)

VeryLost's suicide bid or SpaceCadets poonomia which was being ignored by her soon to be ExDH.... those threads, these days would sink like a stone.

Ah now don't worry Bree, if you are left gasping in your sickbed someone from your quiche would notice and dial you a Dominos

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Carmenere

The point is the original quiche is but mere crumbs...

When SC's situation re Poonomia became apparent, every cat, dog and divil was on the thread. Her DH posted (with SC's blessing) at one point and we all rounded on him.(he was being an arse) PPH was particularly concerned, having seen it before.

Two MNers cooked and drove to her from London, another MNer local to spacey's area did the same.

You do not get that level of care anymore.

I am pleased for MN Towers, but sad for us,I know it still has it' moments but I truly believe we had the best of it.

Well you are probably right Bree, but hopefully many more mners will get at least some of that essence of mn of times past. And I quite like some of the newbies too, obviously they are not as pretty or funny as us but some of them have potential.

There was supposed to be a at the end of that post

Some of the newbies are wonderful, but I also feel that some other newbies are vocal and not really in to the spirit of board.

Pruners - but there is plenty of information/ discussion on baby-led weaning elsewhere. BLW isn't unique to MN.

I haven't read Zoe Williams' piece so obviously if it quotes MNers then that would be different (although not wrong imho) but just because it is about BLW doesn't mean it is plagiarising from MN.

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I know what you mean about columnist overload....I wonder if blogging has changed things a little on this front.

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