"NPC" stands for "Non-Player Character." Originally, it refers to characters in video games or tabletop role-playing games that are controlled by the game's computer or game master rather than by a human player

. These characters typically have predetermined behaviors and dialogue and serve various roles such as quest givers, merchants, or background characters that help drive the game's narrative

. In popular culture and social media, "NPC" is often used metaphorically or as an insult to describe a person who is perceived as lacking independent thought or simply following societal or political trends without critical thinking or original opinions

. This usage implies that such a person behaves like a scripted character, repeating predictable responses rather than engaging in independent reasoning

. In summary:

• Gaming context: NPCs are game-controlled characters that interact with players but are not controlled by them

• Social/media context: "NPC" is used to describe people who seem to lack independent thought or blindly follow popular opinions

This dual meaning reflects both the technical gaming origin and its broader cultural metaphor.