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.

Weaknesses of NPCs:
1.Lack of abstract thought, understanding of hypothetical/future scenarios.
2.Lack of creativity and imagination, emulation and repetition of received content.
3.Lack of original thought, deference to authority and media.
Memes need to exercise these qualities to the breaking point, forcing to use their actual minds.