Hi, Roger:

I met you and Chaz at the Toronto International Film Festival a number of years ago when I was still a film critic. You were understandably quite busy, which I respected. I was just happy to shake your hand and thank you for inspiring me to become a critic. I wound up having a lovely talk with Chaz — I can't even remember what about anymore — and came away with the impression that she's an amazing, down-to-earth woman. What a great way to incorporate her into your TED talk. And thank you for giving this talk — it's fascinating. I have always enjoyed your voice, no matter what form it takes.

Best,
Robin Miner-Swartz
@RobinMSwartz
Lansing, Mich.

This is one of the most inspirational things I have seen from TED.

If anything, his strength of character is without measure. His realizations, and his sense of humor never fails him.

Inspired and feeling lucky along with him, from people who get paid to speak as a career,
Steven
http://voice123.com

Great speech. As an Australian who has 'heard' Roger's written voice for many years (by reading his reviews and other writings on the internet, but has never seen him speak before on TV), I just want to say -- the voice remains the same and it is beautiful. All the best, Roger. I hope to continue to hear your voice for many years yet!

I've been reading your reviews online daily for at least a year; though I've read that you can't speak, this is the first time that I've really acknowledged it, or had to think about it--I've always heard your words in my own internal reading voice, and they've probably had more of an impact on me as a film viewer than anything I've heard.

Thank you for continuing on with your website. Voice or not, the communication is still absolutely there.

Roger and Chaz, that was so touching and informative.

I think there is something you should know. Perhaps you have considered it, and even written about it, but as such I am unaware if you have, so here goes:

You state that through the internet you have maintained your voice and ability to communicate. You write quite a lot! When I read your words, can you guess whose voice I hear in my head? Why, YOURS, of course! I can clearly hear IN MY HEAD the voice of Roger Ebert - a voice I have heard many times - speaking eloquently and without stumbles sequences of words you actually never spoke aloud. What's more, I'll bet MANY if not most people hear you likewise. I know not everyone does this, and will read anything with their own voice, especially if they don't know the sound of the author's voice.

Imagine, as thousands read your blogs, thousands of independent internal reconstructive recordings using the memory of your voice as a blueprint assemble the visual text you have written into the mental perception of audible speech in your voice, each with slightly different pacing and emphasis, and all superior in quality than the Scottish computer voice team. At any given moment there might be more people hearing your voice than those who tuned into your "At the Movies" while you did speak.

I hope that such a notion carries some consolation, and ultimately lessens the belief in the essential fruition of a real audible facsimile of your voice obligingly conveying the contents of your thoughts in real time.

Additionally, when you read your own words, what voice do you hear? Your old voice? Alex's? Chaz's? Patrick Stewart's?

For that matter, having never heard ME speak, who have you been hearing while you read this?...

All the best. James

;o)

I am very grateful to have developed the habit and interest in reading your reviews and blogs because the writing is pure gold. The writing, and quite frankly your voice, rings clear and rivals most novels or works of fiction that I read. Your reviews on film are inspiring and just like others who have commented, you have had a distinct voice in my head for the past couple of years.

Thank you for your literary contribution but also for the inspiration you have given your fans.

HI Roger!

your strength, dignity, and sense of humor never ceases to amaze me. you already impress me as a great film critic and writer but through your blog, one gets to know you more intimately. i thoroughly enjoy your writing and i do "hear" you clearly. you dont look like phantom of the opera. chaz speaks of nothing but the truth.

i laughed at the jokes. =) take care.
-sheila

Wow. Just wow. Hearing your "voice" again sent chills through my bedroom and made me pause the video and just stare a little while.

And Chaz was priceless.

Dearest Roger: you have more marbles than just about anyone, living or dead. I have been a fan of yours for more than 20 years, have read and loved you in my homes in California/Japan/UK/Bermuda/and now in Zurich (Switzerland, not the one in Illinois!)

What a great speech. What a fantastic way to be able to use technology, from you and many other people who would be silenced otherwise. Have you read/heard about how computers are helping people who are severely autistic? Fascinating.

That gorgeous wife of yours made me cry - loved it.

I've been reading your film reviews and your blog for more than 4 years, but It wasn't until a year ago that curiosity got me looking for and old clip of your tv show so I could hear your analog voice.

I call it analog because, over years of reading your words, my mind has developed its own sound for them -- much like when we imagine the voices of characters in books. It's a synthesis of what I've learned about you through your writings: what you like, what you dislike, what you find funny, what interests you, etc ... It's my brain's aural representation of what you call your digital voice -- the sound of the digital extension of you conscience.

The timbre and pitch of this voice might be different from the one I discovered in your old videos, but it's still the one I hear in my head everytime i read you -- and when I think this might be the case for many other readers, i'm fascinated.

I'm not really sure of where I'm trying to get with this, I just thought it was quite amazing.

Anyway, I'm studying a Masters degree in Communication and Media Engineering and your talk reinforced the feeling that i'm in the right place.

Thanks Rog, and keep talking!

I love you, Roger.

Roger, you never cease to amaze -- and inspire -- me! I have been watching you on television since your PBS days and owe so much of my film education to you. That may not sound like much -- after all, what value does a "movie" play in one's life? Well, from you, I have learned how valuable film can be as art, as an expression of humanity, a teacher of culture, and a mirror unto ourselves. And since you have lost your ability to speak, your voice and your broader humanism has had an even greater impact on my own perceptions about the world around me and those that occupy it.

When I met you last year at TIFF, I walked right past Werner Herzog (who, along with Bergman, have influenced my taste in film most and I would otherwise be in awe to meet) just so I could express to you in person how much I admire you -- not for your celebrity but for who you are as a human being. I believe I failed in my effort because I was unable to effectively communicate all that in words in such a short time. However, you communicated to me your thanks with kindness, humility and grace -- without a spoken word.

You communicate now more effectively than anyone I have ever heard and your influence has been and will continue to be a catalyst in my own lifelong learning. And for that I am grateful.

Great speech! though would have been funnier if you told a really dirty joke

This was a really moving and inspirational talk. Speech is such a wonderful thing, and I can't imagine not being able to speak.

Your ability to overcome this is inspirational to say the least. You're the main reason I want to study film in college and be involved in the industry for the rest of my life. It's always been a want of mine to simply discuss film with you, one of the greatest film critics of all time. No, THE greatest film critic of all time.

Best of luck to you, Mr. Ebert. Thank you for all you've done for me.

Hey Roger:

Brace yourself -- I'm not a huge movie fan. I have a few i like well enough, but I far prefer books.

Regardless, you’re one of my (very few) personal heroes. Feels weird saying that, as I’m 56 years old. This vid wasn’t just insightful, it was inspiring.

Bless you, Sir.

Guy walks into a psychiatrist's office and says:
"Take my wife please."
So ... I bit him.

Henny Youngman got a major laugh on TV with that one.

Alex - ball's in your court.

Roger - I realized I was on the same page as you are when you liked an Ashley Judd film called "Ruby In Paradise".. which was one of the few films available in the "small" section of Blockbuster years ago. I've been an avid follower of yours ever since. I recognize you are not as mainstream as you are sometimes perceived - You have esoteric tastes, such as "El Topo". Every time I read a review of yours, even if I don't agree with your assessment, I get something new out of the movie that I didn't get before.. which I think is the best tribute I could give you as a movie critic. You enhance my understanding of the art form, even if I like the movie and you don't..or vice versa and hence, you add to my life a bit.. corny as that my sound. I hope you are around a long time. Your compassion is an inspiration.

Roger, Great presentation. Through you sharing so much, your honesty and writings, I find you to be a person that lives an authentic life, which is inspiring on many levels. But I also want to say, that your wife is an incredibly warm, lovely, patient individual and, is equally as inspiring ... she's a true treasure! Best,

Loved this. You are wonderful.

The problem with the voice Alex is that I believe he's being used for various instant animations.

That's what I think of when I hear Mr. Ebert using his Mac "Alex" speaking voice.

For an example of that, see the YouTube channel of the tangocynic. I wrote an article about him and he's made quite a buzz in the Argentine tango community nationwide.

What I hear when I read the movie reviews and this blog are the Roger Ebert voice from "Siskel & Ebert."

I love the intellectual community you've created through this blog and even twitter and I feel that you've shown the best of the Internet (and as someone who worked for an Internet company I've seen some of the worst).

I wish I could have been at that TED, but thank you so much for sharing.

You and your wife are amazing. Thank you or continuing to write and speak.

That was empowering. Thank you.

It was oddly reassuring to hear your voice when you played the snippet you prepared for the Oprah show. Yes, it doesn't quite get the intonations, but I would urge to use it more often -- it's got your voice's timbre, which is important. It's good to hear after all this time.

Roger,

You know at least two of the three things I am about to write, but I will write them anyway. One, you married the right woman. Two, your writing over the past half decade is the best of your life (whether spoken by Alex, by Chaz, by Bill Kurtis, or read).

Here is the third, whether you believe it or not. I prefer looking at your face today than I did 25 years ago. This struck me as I watched your TED presentation and remembered the Esquire pictorial from last year. Whether a cruel accident of surgery or your own physiological adaptation, your eyes, your mouth, your entire face are warmer and welcoming. When you beam, it radiates through the television screen. Your segments on Ebert Presents are more telegenic than any of the old clips you show over the closing credits. Whatever considerable hardships losing your jaw have put upon you, know that losing a face people want to see is not among them.

Don’t get me wrong, you were good 25 years ago! Please know, however, that Chaz is absolutely right when she disagrees that you look like the Phantom of the Opera. What you have is a change from the argumentative, often stern disposition you used to have. Your face is different. But I bet quite a few people in your audience agree with me that we look forward to seeing that mug on our televisions. (Honestly, my one suggestion to change the show is to have a few more "from Roger's office" segments in each episode.)

Almost did a standing ovation of my own after that.

Keep writing, Roger. We'll be listening.

Great talk.I found the Scots computer version of Rogers voice quite convincing and an obvious great stride forward in that particular field.Roger is an inspiration and a fascinating individual on a number of topics and interests.I have always enjoyed his film reviews but am also consistently impressed with the breadth of his knowledge and the vigor of his intellectual curiosity.Good health Roger for many years to come.

After seiing this footage i was spechless.
There is so much humanity in Roger Erbert, so much strenght and love fom your Wife...
An example of perseverance and talent shines as your voice will metaphisically fill my comprehension and enhance my understanding of Movies.

I will keep following your website.

Thank you, from Portugal, Europe.

Hello.

I saw your talk on ted and i think it was great. Some time ago I was interested in text-to speak apps.

I think you should give this one a try:
http://www.ivona.com/

I think it's the best one out there - but I had different usage pattern.

kind regards,

Kris.

I was wondering why I found your wife's emotional reaction to your writing so moving. I hear at the start of the piece about your medical misadventure and I think, "how terrible", while wondering what's for supper. Then your wife starts to read your account of how people react to you today. Here the impression is no longer direct, I am hearing a reflected impression of your loss. Then your wife starts to react to what she is reading, responding to your pain at having to suffer other people's ill-judged reactions to you. In seconds the internal reflections seem to reach a critical point and your loss, your suffering, your wife's tenderness and several other layers I can't quite put a finger on all seem to multiply (shades of the last scene of Cyrano here). You'd have to have a heart of stone to keep a dry eye at that point, and there was no need for incidental music.
Thank you for your writing. Your voice is stronger than ever.

Dear Roger,
I have been reading and listening to your reviews and commentary as long as you've been writing them and I am a Chicagoan. It doesn't matter what the movie is, I read them for the wonderful writing. I have wanted to tell you, for a long time, that as much as I enjoyed your writing in the past, your words, since your illness, have an added depth and warmth that touches my heart and head at the same time.
I loved your talk and lost it along with your lovely Chaz. I loved her words and your joke. I hear your voice which is so familiar to me, when I am reading your words, loud and clear.

You are an inspiration to finding the gem in life's difficulties. Continued good health to you and Chaz.

As someone who watched you on TV for over 30 years I can say with complete sincerity that your eyes have never been as bright and life-affirming as in this TED talk. You are one of those rare individuals, Roger, whose disability has revealed you rather than diminished you. Like Christopher Reeve after his accident, you shine brighter than ever before. I thank you for your strength, your courage, and your wonderful, intelligent voice, whether spoken or written. The world is a richer place with you in it.

Two questions: One banal and one personal

Mr. Ebert, when you brought frank, confrontational reviews to television, I was amazed and entranced. You're still breaking new ground with your frankness about human differences. (You subversive anarchist, you!) :-)

First, the Banal: I found outtakes from At the Movies where you're kinda peeved about something, and you let it out with some sarcasm (you're still pretty funny when you're miffed, though you may not see it at the time).

So the question: How do you express verbal outrage in a pinch when you're speech-time-lag is stretched as it is?

I know the obvious -- that a good writer can communicate all these things through printed (or monotonously spoken) word choice alone. Do you find yourself typing a curse word, only to edit it out quickly? I would love to know how this works in your situation.

Second, the Personal: You make clear how lucky you feel you are that you live in this time of technology. Leaving aside the (meta?)physical question of how you would have had the same genes and personality while living in another time (that one always bugs me, and it's a cliché I'm surprised you used, oh great Roger "Cliché Guevarra" Ebert, my warrior hero fighting stereotype and monotony) I'm certain that you also realize how fortunate you are to have been both famous and at the head of your craft when you were losing your voice.

And since you're aware of this, and because you enjoy group interaction which lets you see into others lives (as you expressed in your Bill W. article), you've surely seen that not all persons with disabilities come into them with your stature in the human race.

What do you think when you see this? The afflicted child who must now work doubly hard, not to achieve your level of greatness, but merely to do a simple homework assignment?

I wonder if perhaps you have some envy. You seem to relish challenge, and, while you'd never have wished for this, you certainly love to take it on and fight like heck.

Do you have some envy of the person who has the privilege of fighting the disability all of his or her life, and still rises to accomplish greatness?

I think I would feel that. And I would then feel a bit guilty for feeling that.

Sorry for the long-winded questions. I'm just so excited that I finally got the nerve to ask you a couple.

Ebert: I live a life with little anger now, and have grown resigned to containing it. It would be futile to curse with a computer voice. It has the words but not the music.

As for my good fortune, or my genes, or whatever. The universe has so many possibilities that it's futile to wonder how things might have turned out differently. We are born inside just that person we must be.