There's a strange concept floating around the net, that only so many consciousnesses are in a cycle of reincarnation. The rest of us? Just scripted into reality without souls. If simulation theory wasn't enough to make you question everything around you—then the mind fuckery pertinent in the "NPC Meme" might just be the rabbit hole you're looking for. NPCs, or the "non-playable character"... Do they exist in real life?

The Majority of People Aren't Real

... Or at least that's how the story goes. I was browsing a certain paranormal image board a few weeks ago when I came across a series of intriguing yet mildly disturbing threads about identifying the difference between real human beings (with a soul) and scripted NPCs, that although may appear human are nothing more than a creation of the matrix.

Netizens all over have been in disputes, arguments, and heavy trolling in regards to conspiracies, political agendas, mass brainwashing, and otherwise the dehumanization of everyone when thinking that your friends and family may as well be programmed.

The Flaw of "Cogito, ergo sum"

French philosopher Descartes coined the iconic phrase; "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am." As an individual can only perceive their own thoughts and not those of others, there is no certainty that anyone other than the self exists. This theory/ style of thinking is known as Solipsism, and what a lonely place it is.

I've entertained the notion of "Extended Solipsism" last month right before the meme surfaced to a larger audience. While I've experienced people fully existing in the same level of reality I'm in, I don't believe that those not fully present in the moment are fakes—I'm not convinced.

The #1 Trait of NPCs

It's been stated numerous times that one of the main ways that you can spot an NPC is by asking them if they have an internal monologue, anyone who doesn't isn't real.

This is easily the most tragic piece of ignorance to plague the whole theory. Not everyone has an ever-persistent narrator by their side, regardless of how common it is. Each person possesses a different "learning style", and although this allegory is often quoted from Einstein, it remains anonymous:

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing that it is stupid."

Not everyone thinks in sound, and whether a person says they do or don't, you can't actually hear their thoughts. How would you even know? This is a fallacy called; the fallacy of inconsistency. To state that "in order to have a soul, you must think with a voice," having no other thinking style considered.

A Plot Twist in Being an NPC

I have an amusing notion to entertain. What if those perceived as "auto responding" to things in their daily lives, are simply just unaware of their surroundings?

Furthermore, what if some of the people who are these NPCs
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Are doing it on purpose?
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I say this because...
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...this is what I'm doing.
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I Chose to be an NPC

So why exactly would I want to be predictable, single track minded... boring?

Simply for the fact that I've figured out that it takes far less energy to live your daily life this way. I stand behind the idea of living in the moment, and I think that I've stumbled upon the missing connection between three types of living;

• active thinking
• auto-pilot
• cruise control

Kepner-Tregoe

Active Thinkers

These are the people who are providing conscious effort towards every task. At one point in my blogging journey, this is where I was. I was fully present in my past and future, everywhere—except now. Due to this, I was overthinking any task, or anticipated task with full effort. Living in this way created much anxiety and depression within myself, and lead to insomnia. When I think of those who are "on the lookout for NPCs" they are in this first group.

Toronto Star

Auto-Pilot

And here are the "NPCs". Not pressing all of their energy into a different timeline, but just enough that their visions and daydreams overshadow the present moment. I wanted to be on auto-pilot for quite a while, yet needed to decode it first. To me, auto-piloting my way through life meant that most of the things I did day to day (habits), would be productive to my overall gameplan, but require far less energy since I wouldn't have to consciously focus on doing them. The trick with this though, is that the new skills and habits need to be developed first, before becoming automatic.

Much like how walking is technically a skill, but one honed to the point that no mental effort is used to accomplish it. I wanted to have my daily tasks come to me as if it were breathing.

I breathe a sigh as I write this however. My ultimate goal was to live in the moment, but can you even exist there if you don't think about it? Lack the awareness of it?

Right Attitudes

Cruise Control

Or a tweaked version of "going with the flow". I had put auto-piloting into practice, and at some point it hit me. Since my thoughts were purposely being concentrated in "the now" instead of anywhere else, I began to experience a heightened awareness of the moment. My thoughts wandered closer, only thinking about the current day, and whenever an opportunity appeared, I was fully capable of snapping out of auto-pilot, into conscious control of the situation. Guided focus if you will.

I enjoy being an NPC, full-blown with my set greetings, demeanor, and methods, but now based on the particular situation I can also channel my energy where it needs to be.

Being an NPC really isn't this horror story it's being made out to be. What do you think? Is living your life like a machine disgusting, or liberating?

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BEEP... BOOP... and all that jazz~