By going to the movies, and because of other things, too, going

Roger Ebert’s words, “By going to the movies, and because of other things, too, going to college, making a wide variety of friends, moving around traveling, I became a lot more open-minded than the heritage I was born into might have suggested,” reflect a profound journey of personal transformation—one that is shaped not only by the experiences we have but also by our willingness to engage with the world outside of ourselves. Ebert speaks to the transformative power of exposure to different cultures, ideas, and experiences. He recognizes that, while his upbringing may have been shaped by a particular set of values or beliefs, the choices he made—the books he read, the places he visited, the people he met—enabled him to transcend the limitations of his heritage and become someone who was more open-minded, empathetic, and aware.

In ancient times, the journey of self-discovery and the broadening of one’s perspective was often the work of philosophers and travelers, who ventured beyond their familiar world to seek wisdom. Consider Socrates, whose teachings transcended the borders of his native Athens. He famously encouraged his students to question everything, to seek knowledge not just within their own culture, but through the exploration of ideas from all around the ancient world. It was through dialogue with those who were different, through the act of engaging with new thoughts and challenges, that Socrates became one of the great figures of Western philosophy. The act of questioning and embracing new perspectives, as Socrates did, was not just a philosophical pursuit but a way of life—a method of growth that was vital for anyone seeking truth in a complex world.

Ebert’s own path, as he acknowledges, was one marked by a willingness to embrace what lay beyond the world he was born into. Travel and education are two of the most powerful forces in human transformation. They expose us to new cultures, beliefs, and worldviews—all of which challenge our prejudices and broaden our understanding. Just as Alexander the Great ventured from his homeland to conquer the known world, learning from the people he encountered, so too did Ebert’s exposure to new ideas and diverse individuals lead him to a more open-hearted view of the world. Alexander, though raised in the tradition of Macedonian kings, was not bound by the limits of his birthplace. Through his conquests and alliances, he embraced a world beyond his own, blending the cultures of East and West into a single, vibrant civilization.

The influence of film, in particular, is an intriguing aspect of Ebert’s journey. Just as the great epics of the ancient world—Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, for example—provided audiences with glimpses of distant lands and distant ways of life, movies today serve as windows into the experiences of others. Ebert himself, a master of cinematic criticism, was well aware of the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of the world. Through the movies, we can live lives we’ve never lived, feel emotions we may never feel, and walk in the shoes of characters whose experiences are different from our own. Film allows us to transcend our immediate surroundings and experience the vast spectrum of human existence. This is not just entertainment—it is a vehicle for empathy, a means by which we can understand the experiences and struggles of others, even those who may seem distant or different.

Ebert’s transformation speaks to the heart of a universal truth: growth comes not from staying within the bounds of the familiar, but from venturing out into the unknown. Think of the story of Marco Polo, who journeyed to Asia and introduced the richness of Chinese culture to the Western world. His travels broadened the scope of human understanding, revealing that there was much more to the world than the European worldview that had once dominated. Polo’s encounters with people of different faiths, customs, and philosophies shaped his understanding of humanity, just as Ebert’s exposure to the wider world through education, film, and travel opened his mind to the diverse narratives of human existence. These stories of exploration and encounter are not just about physical journeys, but about the spiritual and intellectual growth that happens when we step outside of the world we know and engage with others.

The lesson of Ebert’s reflection is one of profound importance: to be open-minded is to be willing to embrace the unfamiliar. We all come into this world with the heritage of our upbringing, our families, and our communities. These influences shape who we are, but they do not have to define the limits of what we can become. Education, travel, and engagement with a diverse range of people and ideas are the keys to breaking free from the constraints of inherited beliefs and assumptions. Ebert’s own journey shows us that growth is a continual process, one that requires the courage to challenge the familiar and embrace the unfamiliar.

As you move through your own life, seek opportunities to learn, to step outside of your own experience and engage with the world beyond. Travel far and wide, not only to see new lands, but to open your heart to the stories of others. Embrace diversity, whether it be through literature, conversation, or the movies you watch. Expand your worldview, for it is in the encounter with difference that we learn the most about ourselves. Remember, as Ebert teaches us, the more open-minded we become, the more we grow—not just as individuals, but as part of the greater human story. Let your life be a journey of continuous learning, where every new experience is a step toward greater understanding, empathy, and connection with the world around you.