--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As we continued to talk, going through…" description: "\"As we continued to talk, going through the motions of getting to know each other, I realized that we already did know each other, as well as any two pe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/858/ernest-cline-1857_changed_as-we-continued-to-talk-going-through-th_548201.png" --- # As we continued to talk, going through the motions of… ![“As we continued to talk, going through the motions of getting to know each other, I realized that we already did know each other, as well as any two people could. We’d known each other for years, in the most intimate way possible. We’d connected on a purely mental level. I understood her, trusted…” quote by Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/858/ernest-cline-1857_changed_as-we-continued-to-talk-going-through-th_548201.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/858/ernest-cline-1857_changed_as-we-continued-to-talk-going-through-th_548201.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/858/ernest-cline-1857_changed_as-we-continued-to-talk-going-through-th_548201.png) > “As we continued to talk, going through the motions of getting to know each other, I realized that we already did know each other, as well as any two people could. We’d known each other for years, in the most intimate way possible. We’d connected on a purely mental level. I understood her, trusted her, and loved her as a dear friend. None of that had changed, or could be changed by anything as inconsequential as her gender, or skin color, or sexual orientation.” [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Deep connections transcend superficial differences; true intimacy is built on mental and emotional resonance. **In simple terms:** Friendship goes beyond gender, race, or orientation. Key Takeaway Value the mental bond over external labels. Themes friendship identity acceptance Mood hopeful thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - building trust in diverse teams - supporting inclusive communities - personal relationships across cultures Key Concepts empathy psychological intimacy social constructs Questions to Reflect On - How do we nurture mental connections in a divided world? - What role do societal biases play in perceived intimacy? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic barriers that affect lived experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Dear friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dear-friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Gender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gender/) [Getting to know each other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-to-know-each-other/) [Intimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimate/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Skin color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skin-color/) ## Related quotes > [“I understood her, trusted her, and loved her as a dear friend. None of that had changed, or could be changed by anything as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-understood-her-trusted-her-and-loved-her-as-a-dear-friend-none-of/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“We’d connected on a purely mental level.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/we-d-connected-on-a-purely-mental-level/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [He was my best friend but he changed when he got the witch HIS GIRL FRIEND .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-sami/he-was-my-best-friend-but-he-changed-when-he-got-the-witch-his-girl/) [Rita Sami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-sami/) > [“She was all the world’s money, and I would spend it with her, my sharpest friend who changed the tide, my only comfort from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/she-was-all-the-world-s-money-and-i-would-spend-it-with-her-my/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [After telling the hard facts to anyone from lover to friend, I have changed in their eyes. Often it is awe or admiration, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/after-telling-the-hard-facts-to-anyone-from-lover-to-friend-i-have/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [Life and art had a nice parallel, in the sense of coming together as strangers who are separate in prison who need to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keanu-reeves/life-and-art-had-a-nice-parallel-in-the-sense-of-coming-together-as/) [Keanu Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keanu-reeves/) > [We believe in taking down the barriers, but we also believe in the most energetic reconciliation among peoples by getting them to know each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-williams/we-believe-in-taking-down-the-barriers-but-we-also-believe-in-the/) [Betty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-williams/) > [What were we spending so much time doing if not getting to know each other?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/what-were-we-spending-so-much-time-doing-if-not-getting-to-know-each/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [ Steve \[Jobs\] and I spent months getting to know each other before I joined Apple. He had no exposure to marketing other than what… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sculley/steve-jobs-and-i-spent-months-getting-to-know-each-other-before-i/) [John Sculley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sculley/) > [I've always appreciated working with people I have chemistry with, who are friends, and where you feel that the work is growing while you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjork/i-ve-always-appreciated-working-with-people-i-have-chemistry-with-who/) [Bjork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjork/) > [A deadness occurs in relationships when people are no longer willing to tell each other how they really feel. When people first fall in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakti-gawain/a-deadness-occurs-in-relationships-when-people-are-no-longer-willing/) [Shakti Gawain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakti-gawain/) > [But I gotta say, oh, baby, oh baby, why is this so familiar? Just met her, already feel like I know the real her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/but-i-gotta-say-oh-baby-oh-baby-why-is-this-so-familiar-just-met-her/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [The best diplomacy starts with getting to know each other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-best-diplomacy-starts-with-getting-to-know-each-other/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I'm spontaneous. I jump in. I kind of like getting married and then getting to know each other; I know that it sounds incredibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/i-m-spontaneous-i-jump-in-i-kind-of-like-getting-married-and-then/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [ What's cool is that in the story of the movie \[The Hangover\] our characters are also really kind of getting to know each other… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/what-s-cool-is-that-in-the-story-of-the-movie-the-hangover-our/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) ## More by Ernest Cline > [“Halliday’s favorites, like WarGames, Ghostbusters, Real Genius, Better Off Dead, or Revenge of the Nerds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/halliday-s-favorites-like-wargames-ghostbusters-real-genius-better/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Ray seemed to subsist primarily on a diet of high-fructose junk food and old videogames. It was hard not to love the guy. Back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/ray-seemed-to-subsist-primarily-on-a-diet-of-high-fructose-junk-food/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Besides, what if BSG and Firefly took place in the same universe? You ever consider that?” I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/besides-what-if-bsg-and-firefly-took-place-in-the-same-universe-you/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [My characters are all kind of geek archetypes of people I've encountered at gaming and comic book conventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/my-characters-are-all-kind-of-geek-archetypes-of-people-i-ve/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I understood her, trusted her, and loved her as a dear friend. None of that had changed, or could be changed by anything as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-understood-her-trusted-her-and-loved-her-as-a-dear-friend-none-of/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Dilettantes,’ Art3mis said. ‘It’s their own fault for not knowing all the Schoolhouse Rock! lyrics by heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/dilettantes-art3mis-said-it-s-their-own-fault-for-not-knowing-all-the/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I've heard Stephen King say that when you write a novel you end up revealing everything about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-ve-heard-stephen-king-say-that-when-you-write-a-novel-you-end-up/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [Everybody uses pop culture as a shorthand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/everybody-uses-pop-culture-as-a-shorthand/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Something Daito had left to me in his will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/something-daito-had-left-to-me-in-his-will/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [The clans began to bombard the outer force field with rockets, missiles, nukes, and harsh language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-clans-began-to-bombard-the-outer-force-field-with-rockets/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“tried to keep my cool. I tried to remain skeptical. I reminded myself that I was a man of science, even if I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/tried-to-keep-my-cool-i-tried-to-remain-skeptical-i-reminded-myself/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I notice when I'm at a party where I don't know anybody - even if I have nothing in common with somebody - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-notice-when-i-m-at-a-party-where-i-don-t-know-anybody-even-if-i/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Not trusting my instincts any further, I loaded up a piece of high-end avatar dance software called Travoltra, which I’d downloaded and tested earlier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/not-trusting-my-instincts-any-further-i-loaded-up-a-piece-of-high-end/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I burned through all of my extra lives in a matter of minutes, and my two least-favorite words appeared on the screen: GAME OVER.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-burned-through-all-of-my-extra-lives-in-a-matter-of-minutes-and-my/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) [Explore all 184 Ernest Cline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## More Changed quotes > [“You put together two things that have not been put together before. And the world is changed. People may not notice at the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/you-put-together-two-things-that-have-not-been-put-together-before/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [You made me hate my own reflection Question every choice I make So I could try to be perfect But I will try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn/you-made-me-hate-my-own-reflection-question-every-choice-i-make-so-i/) [Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn/) > [Everything has changed and nothing has changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-lowery/everything-has-changed-and-nothing-has-changed/) [Joseph Lowery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-lowery/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Faith is the avenue to salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-the-avenue-to-salvation-not-intellectual-understanding-not/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [When I became Miss World, I couldn't believe I had won it. I used to sleep with my crown because I was scared someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka-chopra/when-i-became-miss-world-i-couldn-t-believe-i-had-won-it-i-used-to/) [Priyanka Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka-chopra/) > [As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-the-light-changed-from-red-to-green-to-yellow-and-back-to-red/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Working with Rihanna has changed my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bibi-bourelly/working-with-rihanna-has-changed-my-life/) [Bibi Bourelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bibi-bourelly/) > [The international game has changed for bidding cities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ueberroth/the-international-game-has-changed-for-bidding-cities/) [Peter Ueberroth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ueberroth/) > [You changed my life, don't know what you're doing to me with your love. You got me feeling super human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-changed-my-life-don-t-know-what-you-re-doing-to-me-with-your-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not changing because I'm part of a hit. People around me have changed in their attitude toward me, but I haven't changed. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-penny/i-m-not-changing-because-i-m-part-of-a-hit-people-around-me-have/) [Joe Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-penny/) > [Good people are found not changed. Recently I read a headline that said, 'We don't teach people to be nice. We simply hire nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/good-people-are-found-not-changed-recently-i-read-a-headline-that/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) Browse all 6,529 Changed quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As we continued to talk, going through the motions of getting to know each other, I realized that we already did know each other, as well as any two people could. We’d known each other for years, in the most intimate way possible. We’d connected on a purely mental level. 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