NPCs are not soulless automatons

NPCs are egregore-controlled humans, they still have an independent mind but their mind is enslaved and used as a tool for expressing the egregore mind, like a two-way radio channel.
see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egregore
Its possible to disrupt the link to egregore by subversive thought insertion(aka memes), allowing the original mind to assert its will and independent thought. The egregore can't focus on multiple mental challenges simultaneously and the "radio channel" has limited capacity.
NPCs can be reformed to PCs.

>>160
sage

https://youtu.be/MMSzuqd9f68?t=718

The Virgin's Inner Monologue vs Chad's Inner Dialogue.

tfw people don't argue with their inner demons and accept their "monologues" as their own

NPC is really close to phenomenon of Anonymous Hivemind, where anonymity allows unfiltered subconsious venting and group bonding.