Psionics

The term psionics is a recurring element in fiction, usually in works of fantasy and science fiction as well as video games and role-playing games. It refers to things of a psychic or paranormal nature.

The term was invented in the field of parapsychology, but gained little acceptance.

History and terminology

B. P. Wiesner and Robert H. Thouless first proposed the term "psi" in 1942 as a more general term to include both extrasensory perception and psychokinesis. The original terminology proposal divided psi into psi-gamma, for cases of perception, and psi-kappa, for cases of action. These terms were later modified into "passive psi" and "active psi". Later, John W. Campbell proposed the term "psionics", from psi (psyche) + electronics (machine), which implied that the powers of the mind could be made to work reliably. This is based on radionics field of science. The u.k.a.c.o group was the first one who developed the idea of psionics but was turned down by the government due of lack in scientific approach. Psionics was also called "a quasi-electronics device". Psionics in terms of "the game" and "paranormal" was developed and spread on the internet by supporters of fictional psionics.

Fiction

Psionics (used as a term for psychic abilities) in fiction take on nearly as many forms as magic, and are often deeply entwined with many related paranormal or science fiction phenomena. It is often used to endow science fictional characters with abilities, which, if they were called "magic", would make the story fantasy.

The most widely utilized psionic ability in fiction is telepathy, which is often attributed to magical or highly technologically or mentally advanced cultures as a matter of course. As an example, the Star Trek Vulcans were given limited telepathic abilities in order to make them appear more alien. Psionic abilities are often displayed by beings who do or are in process of transcending their physical existence (e.g. humans in the SF classic, Childhood's End).

• Telekinesis and precognition, as exhibited by the Jedi in Star Wars for example, are also quite common in fictional psionics.

• In the science fiction TV show Babylon 5, human telepaths are organized into an organization known as the Psi Corps.

• In the anime Akira and the manga) it is based on, psionic powers are a main subject. A secret research project of the japanese military results in the creation of several telepathic children.

See also: List of comic book superhero powers

Role-playing and other games

Main article: Psionics (role-playing games)

Psionics are used in a wide variety of role-playing games, often as a substitute for magic. In Tolkien-esque fantasy games with a magic system already in place, psionics are often introduced to provide an alternative magic system that functions differently.

Psionics are a popular device in video games (such as Second Sight or Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy), board games (such as Cosmic Encounter) and many other forms of gaming. Typically such powers are used in a context where magic would not fit into the setting in order to introduce super-human, magic-like powers.

Psionics also plays a huge role in the game StarCraft (see Psionic technology (StarCraft)) and in the game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.

Psionic power was also included as one of the properties of the 1994 SNES game Earthbound (US) and Mother (JP)

A Psionicist is also class in the MMORPG, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes.

Psionicist is a character class in the free online computer game Tempus (MUD)

A Psionic Epic power set is available to the Controller Arch Type in the MMORPG, City of Heroes.

A character class called the Psykeeper is available in the MMORPG, FlyFF.

Types of psionics

• Aerokinesis
• Clairvoyance
• Cryokinesis
• ESP
• Pyrokinesis
• Psychokinesis
• Telepathy
• Teleportation

See also

• Paranormal
• Astral Projection
• Parapsychology

External links

• Veritas Society Psi articles
• Rhine Research Center glossary of terms
• PsiPog.net: articles and information relating to Psi
• Psion Guild page containing links to the article pages
• PsiOnline
• Psion Chat
• PsiStudies is a website dedicated to the cultivation of psionic abilities