The term “NPC” stands for “Non-Player Character,” typically used in the context of video games to refer to characters controlled by the game’s programming rather than by a human player.
However, outside of gaming, the term has been adapted to describe individuals who appear to lack independent or critical thinking, behaving in a conformist or predictable manner, similar to characters controlled by computer programming.
NPC memes play on the idea that some individuals may follow societal norms or popular opinions without much consideration, similar to how a non-player character in a game follows a set script or routine. It’s important to note that the use of NPC memes can be controversial and is sometimes criticized for oversimplifying complex human behavior.
The birth of NPC memes
It all started in 2018 when the pro-Trump subreddit r/The_Donald became a hotbed of political memes.
The point of NPC memes is to make fun of people who believe whatever they’re told to believe, but the NPC meme specifically originated as a way for right-wingers to dunk on liberals.
The NPC meme is characterized by a cartoon gray man’s expressionless face, usually espousing some political view.
For example, one NPC meme shows the NPC character reacting to a Trump supporter who is Black. The NPC is shown thinking that “Black = Democrat” followed by a “System Error.” Confused and overwhelmed, they say “You are a white supremacist” to the Black Trump support.
When members of the subreddit and other conservatives inundated Twitter (now known as X) with accounts with the NPC picture as their profile photo and spread misinformation about the 2018 midterm elections, Twitter suspended more than 1,500 of the NPC accounts.
And in 2020, Reddit banned the r/The_Donald once and for all.
Elon Musk is known for his active presence on Twitter, where he often shares his thoughts on various topics, including technology, space exploration, and more.Elon Musk has shared plenty of NPC memes on X over the last few years.
In March 2022, Musk tweeted a popular format of the meme that shows the NPC cartoon in front of various flags or symbols with the caption “I support the current thing.”
The version that Musk shared shows the NPC in front of LGBTQ pride flags holding a Ukrainian flag, thus mocking liberals for what he seemed to think was blind support of Ukraine after it was invaded by Russia in February of that year.
NPC Groupthink
Another popular NPC meme format is the groupthink version , “NPC Groupthink” refers to the idea that individuals who are perceived as exhibiting “NPC” (Non-Player Character) characteristics also tend to engage in groupthink. Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where individuals within a group prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking, often leading to conformity and a lack of diverse perspectives.
One of the most cutting versions of the NPC groupthink meme shows all the NPCs sharing the thought “I am an independent thinker,” implying that even when NPCs think they are having an individual thought, they aren’t.
