You’ve seen them. You’ve heard them. You’ve felt them, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. They’re the ones filling every corner of your life with the dull hum of mediocrity — the NPCs of the real world. Yes, NPCs, as in “non-playable characters” from video games: background players programmed to mill about the marketplace, repeat canned lines, and react predictably to any stimulus. But here’s the kicker: they’re not confined to a PlayStation. They’re out there, in the wild, perfectly replicating one another in thought, appearance, and behavior. It’s like they all downloaded the same patch for life and forgot to install the individuality update.
Why “NPC”?
For the uninitiated, NPCs in video games are the characters who are not you, the player. They exist solely to pad the game’s world with mindless activity. Ask them about the weather? “Lovely day, isn’t it?” Every. Time. They’re built to function without innovation or autonomy. And here’s the disturbing part: this analogy extends horrifyingly well to real life.
Picture this: the same monotonous outfits from the same fast-fashion stores, the same overly cultivated vocal fry that makes every conversation sound like it’s dragging itself up a hill, the same social scripts regurgitated from the latest think-piece or TV segment. Worse yet, these NPCs actively despise the OGs — the Original Characters who dare to be different. But why? Let’s dig in.
The Hive Mind: Sociological Roots of the NPC Phenomenon
Sociologists have long studied how conformity plays into human interaction. Solomon Asch’s famous conformity experiments from the 1950s showed just how willing people are to abandon their own judgment to align with the group. In one study, participants were asked to match line lengths. Simple, right? But when the entire group (secretly instructed by the researchers) gave the wrong answer, a whopping 75% of participants caved at least once and agreed, despite their own eyes telling them otherwise.
Now take that conformity and crank it up to 11 in today’s hyper-networked culture. Social media amplifies echo chambers, mass-marketing churns out identical products, and algorithms ensure you only see what everyone else is already seeing. It’s no wonder people end up carbon copies of one another. They’ve been groomed into a state of unoriginality that’s both comfortable and self-reinforcing.
But here’s the rub: these NPCs know, deep down, that something’s missing. And that brings us to the hatred.
Why NPCs Hate Original People
Here’s the thing: the OGs, the originals, are a walking reminder of what NPCs will never be. Someone unapologetically unique exposes the NPC for what they are — a pale imitation of individuality. It’s not envy in the traditional sense, either. It’s deeper, more visceral, and way more irrational.
Psychologists call this the “out-group bias.” The brain, ever desperate for belonging, feels threatened by anyone who doesn’t conform to the group. The mere presence of an outsider — an original — sets off alarm bells in the NPC psyche. Suddenly, their prefab life feels exposed, like a low-res JPEG next to an oil painting.
And so, NPCs lash out. They don’t even need to know you personally to hate you. They see the bright colors in your wardrobe and sneer. They hear your distinct voice in the crowd and start whispering. Or worse, they’ll follow you on the street, speeding up or laughing too loudly, desperate to assert dominance in the pettiest, most impotent ways possible.
It’s all they have.
The NPC Playbook: Behavioral Markers
Want to spot an NPC in the wild? Look for these telltale signs:
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Uniformity in Fashion
They all shop at the same handful of chain stores, chasing trends without ever questioning if those trends even suit them. Oversized beige coats? Check. Black leggings with white crew socks? Check.
White sneakers? Check. Whatever pastel monstrosity Instagram is pushing this week? Double-check. -
The Vocal Fry Epidemic
Whether it’s the Californian drawl or the pretentious podcast intonation, their voices drip with a sameness that makes you wonder if they all swallowed the same microchip. -
Recycled Conversation Topics
They talk about whatever the algorithm told them to. Latest Netflix show? Trending tweet? Something they half-remember from a morning talk show? Congratulations, you’ve unlocked the NPC script tree. -
Reactionary Behavior Toward Originals
This is the dead giveaway. An NPC will go out of their way to invalidate or undermine someone who refuses to conform. Maybe they’ll roll their eyes at your unconventional style, or maybe they’ll laugh just a little too loud when you walk past. Why? Because your very existence offends them.
NPCs vs. OGs: The Eternal Battle
The clash between NPCs and original people is as old as human civilization. Innovators and visionaries have always faced resistance from the masses — Galileo, Van Gogh, Bowie. The NPC archetype isn’t new; they’ve just gotten louder, more connected, and unfortunately, more emboldened.
And let’s be clear: being original isn’t about trying to stand out for the sake of it. It’s about being true to yourself. That’s what NPCs can’t handle — the fact that you don’t need their validation. You’re free, and they’re stuck in a self-imposed hamster wheel of sameness.
How to Deal with NPCs
Don’t Engage
Remember, NPCs are programmed. They don’t want dialogue — they want to assimilate you or destroy you. Either way, arguing is pointless.
Be More You
Lean into your originality. Every time you express your authentic self, you take up space in a world that desperately needs more color, creativity, and courage.
Laugh It Off
NPCs thrive on taking themselves too seriously. So, laugh. Laugh at their uniformity. Laugh at their absurdity. Laugh because you can, and they can’t.
Spotting NPCs in the Wild: Street and Workplace Edition
Recognizing NPCs in their natural habitat isn’t just a game; it’s a survival skill for every OG navigating a world teeming with envy-fueled automatons. Let’s zoom in on two prime locations where NPC behavior thrives: the streets and the workplace. If you’re the type to stand out, whether through your personality, ideas, or sheer refusal to conform, you’ll encounter them. Often.
Here’s how to spot them and decode their predictable patterns of resentment.
NPCs on the Street: The Laugh-Behind Tactic
Picture this: you’re walking down the street, minding your business, dressed in something uniquely you. Maybe it’s your bold choice of colors, your confident stride, or simply the way you hold your head up high. Cue the NPC.
They materialize behind you like clockwork.
First, they speed up. Not to overtake you, mind you — this isn’t about getting somewhere faster. No, this is about proximity. They want you to feel their presence, that manufactured sense of menace. Then, like a bad sitcom laugh track, comes the forced chuckling.
Why the Laugh-Behind?
It’s envy, pure and simple. NPCs aren’t equipped to process their own inadequacies, so they project them. That laugh isn’t for you — it’s for them. It’s a flimsy attempt to assert dominance, to signal to themselves (and anyone nearby) that you’re the odd one out.
But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t work. You’ve already won by simply existing as an original. The laugh is their pitiful white flag disguised as aggression.
How to Recognize Street NPCs
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The Sudden Pace Match
They don’t walk past; they hover right behind, syncing their steps with yours like a bizarre shadow. -
Loud, Out-of-Place Laughter
It’s performative, always a little too loud, and never tied to anything real. -
The Passive-Aggressive Snicker Squad
Sometimes they don’t come alone. NPCs are pack animals, and nothing emboldens them like the safety of a group. If there’s more than one, the laughter ramps up exponentially. -
Unprovoked Staring
If they don’t laugh, they stare — vacant eyes full of judgment but zero courage to say anything directly. Classic NPC move.
NPCs at Work: The Copy-Paste Colleagues
Ah, the workplace. A breeding ground for NPCs. Here, their envy manifests in subtler but equally predictable ways. The office NPC is less likely to walk behind you laughing (though, let’s be honest, they’d love to) and more likely to undermine you with petty tactics.
How to Recognize NPCs at Work
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The Idea Parasite
You’re in a meeting. You propose something innovative, creative, or just plain better than the status quo. Cue the NPC swooping in to either:
- Claim your idea as their own, or
- Dismiss it entirely, only to regurgitate it in a slightly repackaged form weeks later.
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The Backhanded Complimenter
“Wow, you’re so brave to wear that to work.” Translation: “I could never pull that off, and I resent that you can.” -
The Gossip Relay
Nothing fuels NPCs at work like gossip, especially when it’s about an original person. Expect whispers, exaggerated eye rolls, and “concerned” side conversations about your “attitude” or “weird” ideas. -
The “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Gatekeeper
Your fresh approach threatens their tightly scripted routines. Instead of considering your suggestions, they’ll throw up roadblocks and spout tired clichés about how innovation is “too risky.”
Case Studies of Office NPCs
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Case 1: The Email Underminer
You send a well-thought-out email proposing a new strategy. The NPC replies-all with a redundant message that adds no value but positions them as the authority. -
Case 2: The Credit Snatcher
At the next team meeting, your manager congratulates the group on a project you spearheaded. The NPC sits back, smugly basking in the collective praise as if their spreadsheet skills carried the day. -
Case 3: The Performative Ally
They pretend to support your ideas in public but subtly derail them in private conversations with decision-makers.
Why NPCs Behave This Way
It all boils down to envy and fear. Originals embody creativity, courage, and the ability to thrive outside the herd. NPCs, locked into their pre-programmed scripts, find this threatening. Instead of stepping up their game, they attempt to drag you down to their level.
Psychologists refer to this as the “Crab Mentality,” named after how crabs in a bucket will pull back any crab trying to climb out. It’s not about survival — it’s about making sure no one else gets ahead.
How to Deal with Street and Office NPCs
You want to handle NPCs? Alright, here’s how you do it — raw, real, and with zero BS.
On the Street
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Don’t React — Starve Their Tiny, Pathetic Ego
NPCs live for your reaction. That laugh behind you? That’s not joy — it’s desperation in sound form. It’s the last gasp of a gray little brain struggling to feel significant. You know what you do? Nothing. Walk like you own the street, because you do. You’re the main character; they’re the credits at the end no one sticks around for. -
Flip the Script — Make ’Em Sweat
Here’s a fun one: slow your roll. Not in a weird way — just enough to screw with their head. Let them overtake you. Watch their clunky attempt to figure out what to do next, like a bad AI glitching out in a video game. That’s right, baby, now you’re the programmer, and they’re a broken bit of code.
At Work
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Document It — Turn Their Pettiness Into Evidence
Workplace NPCs are the office equivalent of mall cops — they act big, but they’ve got nothing to back it up. When they start playing sneaky, you go Sherlock Holmes on them. Save the emails, write down the dates, and let their BS dig its own grave. Receipts aren’t just for returns — they’re for revenge. -
Call Them Out — With a Smile Sharp Enough to Cut Glass
NPCs crumble when faced with even a shred of confrontation. Keep it cool, though. “Oh, you mean the idea I mentioned in last week’s meeting? Glad you liked it!” Boom. You’re polite, but your point hits harder than a brick to the face. Watch them squirm while everyone else connects the dots. -
Keep Thriving — Drive Them Nuts
Here’s the truth: the best revenge is living well. Nothing twists an NPC into a human pretzel faster than watching you win. Keep being original. Keep being excellent. Their jealousy isn’t your problem — it’s your fuel.
NPCs, whether they’re following you down the street or lurking in the office breakroom, are inevitable. Their envy-fueled antics are part of the scenery for any original person. But here’s the thing: they’re powerless in the face of true individuality.
So wear that bold outfit. Pitch that groundbreaking idea. Keep walking tall, and let the NPCs reveal themselves for what they are: background noise in the epic main quest that is your life.
Sources
To ensure the points raised in this blog are rooted in credible research and analysis, here are the key sources referenced:
- Solomon Asch’s Conformity Experiments
- Asch, S. E. (1951). Effects of Group Pressure Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments.
- Overview of Asch’s study on group conformity and its psychological implications.
- Crab Mentality
- Kerr, N. L., & Tindale, R. S. (2004). Group Performance and Decision Making. Annual Review of Psychology.
- Discusses the psychology of competitive sabotage and “crab mentality” in group settings.
- Echo Chambers and Algorithmic Influence
- Pariser, E. (2011). The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You.
- Explains how algorithms create echo chambers, influencing social conformity and behavior.
- Social Identity Theory
- Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An Integrative Theory of Intergroup Conflict.
- Key framework for understanding in-group/out-group dynamics, which underpins NPC hostility toward originals.
- Workplace Behavior Studies
- Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams. Administrative Science Quarterly.
- Insights into how competitive or unsafe workplace environments foster undermining and credit-stealing behaviors.
- NPC Phenomenon in Popular Culture
- Gault, M. (2018). The Origin of the NPC Meme. Vice News.
- Explores how the NPC meme transitioned from gaming into broader cultural commentary on conformity.
This mix of psychological studies, sociological theories, and cultural analyses serves as the backbone for the observations and advice presented in this blog.