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What are the Most Popular Examples of Psionics in Sci-Fi? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 month ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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Psionics involve the use of the mind to alter or command reality, typically through some understanding of a deeper truth about the universe or command over a fundamental law of reality.

It's pretty cool, but I have trouble thinking of media where it takes a prominent role. The few examples that come to mind are:

Star Wars - The Force Mass Effect - Biotics/Element Zero technology Stellaris - Spiritualist Ethos Warhammer 40k - Psykers/Orks

What are some other examples of psionics in Sci-Fi?

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[–] 8 points 1 month ago* (1 child)

Psionics was more popular in older sci fi, a few that come to mind are:

  • The Lensman series - one of the classics in sci fi, mental powers are very prominent.
  • The Tower and Hive series (also Dragonriders of Pern by the same author to a lesser extent as it's largely just telepathy in that series).
  • The Saga of Pliocene Exile series.

Read stuff written before the turn of the millennium if you're into this, I feel like it's become less and less common in sci fi as time progresses. I guess it's because mental powers - being effectively magic rather than technology - slot better into fantasy than sci fi in modern readers expectations.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago

    Also because people in the 50s, 60s and 70s were absolutely convinced we were in the verge of unlocking uncanny mental powers because of this

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-percent-of-the-brain_myth

    Like we were around for 300,000 years mostly without technology with no sign of ESP but if we just concentrate really hard now we might be able to bend a spoon or see into a locked room. Even the CIA had a go with MK Ultra.

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