Craig Jones trolled his way into the NYT

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker talk with writer Adrian Nathan West about his New York Times piece on Craig Jones, exploring how trolling, politics, and culture collide in modern Jiu-Jitsu.🔗 Links Mentioned:• The NYT Article — https://nyti.ms/3Y1N6oz• Nate West’s Website — https://anathanwest.com• The Baffler — https://thebaffler.com⸻👥 Featuring:Steve Kwan — https://bjjmentalmodels.comJesse Walker — https://roughhandsbjj.comAdrian Nathan West — https://anathanwest.com⸻🧠 Topics Discussed:• Why Craig Jones is a uniquely effective internet troll• Gordon Ryan’s influence on young grapplers• How Jiu-Jitsu intersects with politics• The importance of fact-checking in modern media• The future of independent journalism• Whether trolling can actually shift culture in BJJ⸻📖 Chapters:00:00 — Welcome & Introductions02:00 — How the NYT Article Came Together06:30 — Craig Jones’ Online Persona12:45 — Gordon Ryan’s Political Influence18:00 — Why Athletes Shape Public Opinion25:10 — Left, Right, and Populism in BJJ32:00 — Fact-Checking for the NYT38:30 — The Rise of Independent Media45:20 — AI’s Impact on Journalism53:00 — Should We All Be Trolls?57:20 — Where to Find Nate’s Work