In this episode of 18Forty, tech entrepreneur Antonio Garcia Martinez discusses his powerful “Why Judaism?” essay series, chronicling his conversion to Judaism and his views on the deficiencies of secular liberalism. A formerly Orthodox man who was moved to change his life after reading Martinez’s essays chimes in.—What is the toll of a culture of optionality?—What is the value of unchosen commitments?—How does Martinez reconcile his deeply scientific worldview with Judaism?Interview begins at 10:21.References:Why Judaism? On abandoning secular modernity by Antonio García MartínezWhy Judaism?, part שני: On the question of God in modernity by Antonio García MartínezNineteen Letters by Rabbi Samson Raphael HirschThe Benedict Option by Rod DreherRethinking Sex by Christine EmbaSeven Types of Atheism by John GrayThe Sabbath by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel