How resonance and modern distance shape real connections

(By Hella Ahmed) I believe it’s entirely possible for people to fall in love—or at least develop a deep, genuine romantic attraction—without any direct communication like conversations, letters, or emails. This can happen through metacommunication (subtle, indirect signalvalues, personality, and worldview), shared intellectual or emotional resonances, admiration sparked by aligned interests, life stories, or even second-hand information that paints a vivid picture of the other person.

Admiration and projection

That said, this kind of attraction often begins as something one-sided or asymmetrical—closer to infatuation or what psychologists call limerence: an intense, involuntary romantic obsession triggered by limited information and fueled by uncertainty and idealization. It can feel profoundly authentic, especially for introspective, imaginative, or creative types who prioritize depth and intellectual/emotional alignment over small talk. Because it remains untested by reality—no arguments, no mundane habits to navigate—the initial falling stays vibrant and unshaken.

This intensity arises in part from projection (in the neutral psychological sense, not the Freudian “projecting your flaws onto others”). With only fragments of information about someone, we unconsciously fill in the gaps with traits, values, or qualities that resonate deeply with us. The resulting image isn’t invented out of nothing, it’s a composite—one part real, one part inferred or hoped-for. The feelings, therefore, aren’t fake, even if the full picture of the person remains incomplete.

How we’re adapting emotionally and relationally in a fractured, image-driven, tech-heavy world?

I personally think that social media, extreme elitism, and conservatism have changed the way people feel capable of connecting. The “warriors of the analytical legion” (I am one of them) have become super intuitive, and I do believe they were already intuitive but somewhat frustrated with how things were before metacommunication became a successful adaptation vessel. Maybe we were already living in the realm of thoughts long before technology brought it back as an essential survival mode in connecting—a necessity for everybody to stay on top of things and preserve some humanity in a world where AI is reshaping perception and bombs are tragically falling from the skies in some parts of the world, like rain on a summer day.

People are learning to guess without going crazy with assumptions and paranoia, to share while remaining discreet at the same time—because money is the hidden secret of all the battles everyone knows about. And modern life isn’t different from before in terms of adversity and inequalities; it has a different flavour, but it’s still bittersweet, because life can be wonderful yet suffering is inevitable. Falling in love and going for it isn’t a miracle—it’s a leap of faith, a finalized creation that will give birth to more, that will ignite exciting events and precious moments, 

The spread of fake images has transformed modern relationships. People increasingly chase happiness through rejuvenation and glamour, prioritizing high—but often unrealistic—standards when it comes to looks and money. This pursuit can be fulfilling yet deeply disappointing, as genuine human connection is often sacrificed along the way. Despite this, real harmony remains achievable, and love can be rich and delicious in many ways. 

The silent, signal-based falling in love 

There are countless stories (both anecdotal and in literature) of people who felt a strong attraction toward someone from afar, and when they finally interacted, the connection clicked immediately and deeply. Sometimes the imagined version was remarkably accurate. The prior “one-sided” (or synchronic infatuation on both sides) love acts almost like a preview that turns out to be faithful to the full feature film. 

This kind of love from afar is not only possible; it’s a legitimate path. Yes, occasionally, the universe rewards that leap with a mutual, lasting flame that changes everything.

Hella Ahmed 2025 © All rights reserved – Find my books on Amazon