--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Somebody took my actual physical presence…" description: "\"“Somebody took my actual physical presence away and substituted this”\" — Philip K. Dick" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg" --- # Somebody took my actual physical presence away and… ![“Somebody took my actual physical presence away and substituted this” quote by Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg) > ““Somebody took my actual physical presence away and substituted this”” [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator feels his physical existence replaced by something intangible, questioning reality. **In simple terms:** Loss of physical self replaced by an abstract presence. Key Takeaway Question the nature of existence. Themes identity reality existential crisis Mood thought‑provoking enigmatic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - psychological therapy - creative writing - spiritual exploration Key Concepts philosophical skepticism mind‑body dualism Questions to Reflect On - What defines “physical presence”? - How do we know reality is real? A Different Perspective May cause disorientation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) [Existential crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential-crisis/) [Self realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-realization/) ## Related quotes > [My father was not really a presence for me. He was away; he was in the German army.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-g-sebald/my-father-was-not-really-a-presence-for-me-he-was-away-he-was-in-the/) [W. G. Sebald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-g-sebald/) > [“Meyer closed his eyes, obeying the summons. But this time, Divinity’s presence was further away, not as intimate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-platt/meyer-closed-his-eyes-obeying-the-summons-but-this-time-divinity-s/) [Sean Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-platt/) > [I think the idea of embodying the physical presence of a character is the same on stage and screen. There are just different levels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-schull/i-think-the-idea-of-embodying-the-physical-presence-of-a-character-is/) [Amanda Schull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-schull/) > [“American women. Why do you all want to be nearly invisible? Why not have a physical presence in the world? Women should have curves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-fantaskey/american-women-why-do-you-all-want-to-be-nearly-invisible-why-not/) [Beth Fantaskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-fantaskey/) > [M dad was a boxer, so he had this fierce, physical presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-browne/m-dad-was-a-boxer-so-he-had-this-fierce-physical-presence/) [Anthony Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-browne/) > [“He was a sincere husband who failed to understand the tremendous power of presence. His being there for his wife was more important than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/he-was-a-sincere-husband-who-failed-to-understand-the-tremendous/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [I actually read 'Wonder Woman,' and here's the thing about her: she's more of a physical presence than anything else. You don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaimie-alexander/i-actually-read-wonder-woman-and-here-s-the-thing-about-her-she-s/) [Jaimie Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaimie-alexander/) > [The habits of life form the soul, and the soul forms the physical presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-habits-of-life-form-the-soul-and-the-soul-forms-the-physical/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The power of being in the physical presence of another person delivers real benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/the-power-of-being-in-the-physical-presence-of-another-person/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [Going back to my mother's passing, there was no way I could hold back my tears or sense of grief at knowing her physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/going-back-to-my-mother-s-passing-there-was-no-way-i-could-hold-back/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [Can we talk of integration until there is integration of hearts and minds? Unless you have this, you only have a physical presence, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chief-dan-george/can-we-talk-of-integration-until-there-is-integration-of-hearts-and/) [Chief Dan George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chief-dan-george/) > [“The Physical Language of Listening Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-physical-language-of-listening-active-listening-is-a-physical/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“She gives physical presence to the depths of the human psyche.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/she-gives-physical-presence-to-the-depths-of-the-human-psyche/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I am never going to be much of a physical presence. For me, it's more about taking my strength and finding a way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connor-mcdavid/i-am-never-going-to-be-much-of-a-physical-presence-for-me-it-s-more/) [Connor McDavid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connor-mcdavid/) > [“Fear manifested itself as a physical presence that seemed to dominate the public sphere. Time almost stopped. Even without confirmation I could sense that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phindiwe-nkosi/fear-manifested-itself-as-a-physical-presence-that-seemed-to-dominate/) [Phindiwe Nkosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phindiwe-nkosi/) ## More by Philip K. Dick > [So we and our elaborately evolving computers may meet each other halfway. Someday a human being, named perhaps Fred White, may shoot a robot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/so-we-and-our-elaborately-evolving-computers-may-meet-each-other/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [Even if all life on our planet is destroyed, there must be other life somewhere which we know nothing of. It is impossible that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/even-if-all-life-on-our-planet-is-destroyed-there-must-be-other-life/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“That is not how you do it; you do not solve one problem with another, greater problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/that-is-not-how-you-do-it-you-do-not-solve-one-problem-with-another/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [For each person there is a sentence—a series of words—which has the power to destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/for-each-person-there-is-a-sentence-a-series-of-words-which-has-the/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [I want to write about people I love, and put them into a fictional world spun out of my own mind, not the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/i-want-to-write-about-people-i-love-and-put-them-into-a-fictional/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [Why does a man cry? he wondered. Not like a woman; not for that. Not for sentiment. A man cries over the loss of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/why-does-a-man-cry-he-wondered-not-like-a-woman-not-for-that-not-for/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [The day came. The wrath descended. Sin, guilt, and retribution? The manic psychoses of those entities we referred to as states, institutions, systems -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-day-came-the-wrath-descended-sin-guilt-and-retribution-the-manic/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [The church of my choice is the free, open world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-church-of-my-choice-is-the-free-open-world/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“I see,' Rick said. He felt numb. Completely. Throughout his entire body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/i-see-rick-said-he-felt-numb-completely-throughout-his-entire-body/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“What is identity? he asked himself. Where does the act end? Nobody knows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/what-is-identity-he-asked-himself-where-does-the-act-end-nobody-knows/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [You're killing yourself with cynicism. Your idols got taken away from you one by one and now you have nothing to give your love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/you-re-killing-yourself-with-cynicism-your-idols-got-taken-away-from/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [What scared me the most was when my father would put on the gasmask. His face would disappear... This was not a human being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/what-scared-me-the-most-was-when-my-father-would-put-on-the-gasmask/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“A man is an angel that has become deranged, Joe Fernwright thought. Once they – all of them – had been genuine angels, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/a-man-is-an-angel-that-has-become-deranged-joe-fernwright-thought/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“When do I see a photograph, when a reflection?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/when-do-i-see-a-photograph-when-a-reflection/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [My major preoccupation is the question, 'What is reality?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/my-major-preoccupation-is-the-question-what-is-reality/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) [Explore all 489 Philip K. Dick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) ## More Aging quotes > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/in-the-past-40-years-the-united-states-lost-more-than-a-million/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [We'll never be as young as we are tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/we-ll-never-be-as-young-as-we-are-tonight/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess: Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayer-of-an-anonymous-abbess-lord-thou-knowest-better-than-myself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [“You could see the signs of female aging as diseased, especially if you had a vested interest in making women too see them your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/you-could-see-the-signs-of-female-aging-as-diseased-especially-if-you/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [“It takes maturity to be able to laugh like a child again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moffat-machingura/it-takes-maturity-to-be-able-to-laugh-like-a-child-again/) [Moffat Machingura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moffat-machingura/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Growing old-it's not nice, but it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/growing-old-it-s-not-nice-but-it-s-interesting/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Anything is possible in the life of a man if he lives long enough. Even maturity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/anything-is-possible-in-the-life-of-a-man-if-he-lives-long-enough/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [I just want to be Patty McCormack. I want to spend every year aging the way she has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-varney/i-just-want-to-be-patty-mccormack-i-want-to-spend-every-year-aging/) [Janet Varney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-varney/) > [Maturity is reached the day we don't need to be lied to about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-yerby/maturity-is-reached-the-day-we-don-t-need-to-be-lied-to-about-anything/) [Frank Yerby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-yerby/) [Browse all 2,792 Aging quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Somebody took my actual physical presence away and substituted this”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Philip K. Dick" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presence-away-and-substituted-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aging" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presence-away-and-substituted-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/philip-k-dick-502_aging_somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presenc_2963764.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Somebody took my actual physical presence away and substituted this” — Philip K. Dick", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Philip K. Dick", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Somebody took my actual physical presence...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presence-away-and-substituted-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/somebody-took-my-actual-physical-presence-away-and-substituted-this/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```