Detecting psionics -- opinions sought
- Thread starter rancke
- Start date
Use a NAS jointly with cameras. If someone does not show to the NAS but does in the cameras, is because he has a psionic shiled, either ecaus ehe's a telepath or becaus he wears an artifical one.
Of course, tht does only work with telepaths...
Of course, tht does only work with telepaths...
Supplement Four
SOC-14 5K
Yes, the Neural Activity Sensor first saw print, I believe, in a DGP product--I think it was Grand Survey, but it may have been in the Travellers' Digest first.
There's a hand held version, as well as ship-board NAS.
There's a hand held version, as well as ship-board NAS.
Psionicist Detector
Psionics Equipment in Milieu 0 - T4 Psionics Institutes, pg. 11
According to the Referee data, it works, but only when someone is using their power and it doesn't pinpoint a direction.
Psionics Equipment in Milieu 0 - T4 Psionics Institutes, pg. 11
According to the Referee data, it works, but only when someone is using their power and it doesn't pinpoint a direction.
I would imagine any real psionics institute would have basic training on what to look for and how to avoid detection as well, else they would have been discovered long ago.
Ran Targas
SOC-14 1K
IMTU, only Psis can detect Other Psis. I think we discussed this before, Hans. I dislike the idea of some sort of electronic device capable of detecting psionics, unless the talent is related to elevated brain chemicals or specific brain wave patterns.
But if testing is necessary, I would suggest some sort of psychological testing for empaths and mind readers and physical testing for TKs. Maybe all kids are subjected to certain testing at a specific age (say puberty) during normal schooling and potentials are separated from the herd for more intense testing elsewhere. Perhaps physical danger or stress can trigger expression of the talent so tests that produce stress would be used.
But if testing is necessary, I would suggest some sort of psychological testing for empaths and mind readers and physical testing for TKs. Maybe all kids are subjected to certain testing at a specific age (say puberty) during normal schooling and potentials are separated from the herd for more intense testing elsewhere. Perhaps physical danger or stress can trigger expression of the talent so tests that produce stress would be used.
So if there's no test for psionic abilities, what does the Psifinder General do when he goes looking for psionic adepts?
Hans
Don't use the NAS, use the NSA...
Depending on law (i.e. surveillance) level and technology level, it may be possible to detect anomalous abilities in the population through data mining. Latent telepaths may make an abnormal number of "I had a feeling about..." posts on the Far Future's equivalent of Facebook which rise above the level of the noise when correlated with other indicators.
Similarly, those who have self-identified as psionic may exhibit certain behavior patterns - seeking out or avoiding particular locations, e.g. taking pains to avoid the Psifinder General's office. And obviously they're going to make interesting queries on the local data net as they try to understand their abilities.
Once they start to together you can look for behavior anomalies - people who cluster on a regular basis but don't actually talk, and so forth. Then you can round up these obvious threats to the Imperium (whether or not they're actually guilty of anything) under vague anti-psionics laws that loyal citizens don't question....
Depending on law (i.e. surveillance) level and technology level, it may be possible to detect anomalous abilities in the population through data mining. Latent telepaths may make an abnormal number of "I had a feeling about..." posts on the Far Future's equivalent of Facebook which rise above the level of the noise when correlated with other indicators.
Similarly, those who have self-identified as psionic may exhibit certain behavior patterns - seeking out or avoiding particular locations, e.g. taking pains to avoid the Psifinder General's office. And obviously they're going to make interesting queries on the local data net as they try to understand their abilities.
Once they start to together you can look for behavior anomalies - people who cluster on a regular basis but don't actually talk, and so forth. Then you can round up these obvious threats to the Imperium (whether or not they're actually guilty of anything) under vague anti-psionics laws that loyal citizens don't question....
Lycanorukke
SOC-13
Assuming you dont go the NAS route, use some trickery with the cloning and personality editing from the T5 rules.
1) Clone a telepaths brain (as per rules - psionics remain intact in a clone p524)
2) Edit old personality to resemble that of a 'smart' dog.
3) Train/edit/reprogram the clone brain to 'sniff out' psi activity.
4) Re-implant the edited personality (which is permanent).
5) Install the brain in a synthetic body (a dog is appropriate)
6) The Psi-dogs then follow the Psifinders on their rounds sniffing for Psi events.
7) If the dog reacts the individual is brought in for more detailed examination
8) The Psi-dogs personality implants are updated/re-implanted often to prevent them getting smart.
9) If you dont want a psi-dog, put the brain in a sealed box with blinking lights, etc.
10) Because no one knows about the clone brain inside the unit, they just think they are specially trained dogs and dont get upset or ask uncomfortable questions.
According to rules, everyone is a potential psion before 18 years, so, that would be just imposible unless it resorts very drastic measures.
Jeff M. Hopper
SOC-14 1K
Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
I can imagine genetic testing prior to birth, with mandatory abortion if any genetic indication of psionics appear. Failure to submit to testing would result in mandatory sterilization, and possibly execution.
Wow!
Also, exactly how do you justify abortions for the mere possibility of manifesting psionics at some unknown future point? Just because one has a gene present doesn't always mean it will express its code, other genes may interfere with it or environmental effects could prevent its expression. Not to mention the execution for merely failing to submit to testing that may well result in your children being aborted for abilities they may or may not have developed.
Nasty Imperium you have there, sir, very nasty indeed.
So, hate psionics much?
Also, exactly how do you justify abortions for the mere possibility of manifesting psionics at some unknown future point? Just because one has a gene present doesn't always mean it will express its code, other genes may interfere with it or environmental effects could prevent its expression. Not to mention the execution for merely failing to submit to testing that may well result in your children being aborted for abilities they may or may not have developed.
Nasty Imperium you have there, sir, very nasty indeed.
I gather we're discussing T5. CT - or at least one CT source; sometimes they contradict - says psi talent is not inheritable: "Because Psionic strength is not inherited (it seems to be random within the population), it is possible for two parents with low Psionic Strength to have a child with high Psionic Strength. ... Some hereditary Nobles have low Psionic Strengths ..." (CT Alien Module 4)
CT Zho's get the same 2D6 psi-strength role as anyone else, regardless of social class, the only differences being that they test early and so don't have to worry about taking penalty due to aging and that even the low-strength nobles (and intendants, I think) get training while only the best of the proles (Psi 9+) can hope to be selected for training.
CT Zho's get the same 2D6 psi-strength role as anyone else, regardless of social class, the only differences being that they test early and so don't have to worry about taking penalty due to aging and that even the low-strength nobles (and intendants, I think) get training while only the best of the proles (Psi 9+) can hope to be selected for training.
Nice.
And Carlobrand, yes T5 says Psionics are inheritable.
Saint Timmii the Exploiter is proud of you! That is very well put together, I like it.
And Carlobrand, yes T5 says Psionics are inheritable.
Jeff M. Hopper
SOC-14 1K
Not necessarily, genetic information can be found on typical detritus from a human body (skin flakes, hair, saliva, etc..) and for a TL 13+ or maybe TL 12+ society then readers which can do a cursory scan of a person's genetic makeup from their exhaled breath may be very possible.
Not particularily. I posted in Lone Star instead of T5 because I was thinking of the OTU in general rather than any specific set of rules.
I was going to respond to Timeover's post by pointing out that everybody potentially has psionic power.
Oh dear...
Well, perhaps the genetic test for psionic potential is much too prone to both false positives and false negatives.
Also, I have a different view of how the anti-psionic sentiments affect the population, but since it is non-canonical (though, I believe, canon-compatible), I'll skip that for the moment to avoid derailing the discussion.
Hans
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Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
I was just speculating as to what the Imperium might do in order to restrain any development of psionics within the Imperium. It all depends on how anti-psionic you wish the Imperium to get. One of the other posts mentioned a
which I related to the "Witchfinder General" of Puritan England, which did get quite nasty.
Given the size of the Imperium, and the distances involved in passing orders to outlying worlds, I view a coherent anti-psionic policy as more than a bit unworkable.
Ahhhh.
So, my next question is why do you view a coherent anti-Psionic policy unworkable? Seems to me the Supressions worked pretty well (okay, way to well) and was coherent, why should that change?
Personally, I find all this fear of Psionics silly, one they aren't that big a chunk of the population, never were, and two, the 3I is missing some really useful tools especially when faced with a Psionic 'enemy' across the border.
Okay.
So, my next question is why do you view a coherent anti-Psionic policy unworkable? Seems to me the Supressions worked pretty well (okay, way to well) and was coherent, why should that change?
Personally, I find all this fear of Psionics silly, one they aren't that big a chunk of the population, never were, and two, the 3I is missing some really useful tools especially when faced with a Psionic 'enemy' across the border.
