Terran Psychic
Prevention
See: Blunt Device.
History
Psychics were always known to Earth, albeit much weaker and less credited than before the year 3028 RN. When more powerful psychics became known, they were frequently isolated from the rest of society in the name of protecting other people.
Psychics and arcanists were easily confused with each other at first, each being initially assumed just an extension of the other. The two became more clearly distinct when the scientist Dañorel discovered the different energies by which the two functioned. Having invented a sensor that could not only detect psychic and arcane power, but also register fine variations in intensity and type, Dañorel published a paper defining the differences for peer review, with the intent to obtain further funding for further research.
Whatever intentions he had, the paper got out to media, which did as media is wont to do: sensationalize it. Psychics of any noteworthy power were not yet particularly common at this point, and while distrusted were mostly left alone. However, with sensationalist, not-entirely-accurate information being spread around by the media, the public began to worry for their safety: psychics were made out to be subversive spies, without directly saying so, and implied to not be human.
Naturally, conspiracy theorists had a field day, and though the person responsible was punished for putting such a sensationalist piece on one of the world's then most-respected news stations, the damage was already done. Governments took steps in their own ways, this usually being to create new settlements specifically for psychics and to separate psychic and mundane populations - for both their safety.
This in turn became more extreme over time, particularly as psychics more powerful came to be at younger and younger ages - those who did not necessarily have the self-control to keep their powers from manifesting. As more major incidents hit the news, including unfortunate accidents that had taken lives - sometimes even the life of the child whose powers had gone out of control - the governments were forced to crack down.
Children as young as three were tested for psychic potential, and monitored until they either proved mundane or showed psychic capabilities. Those who were revealed psychic were removed from their parents, the reason cited as for the child's own protection, and placed within custody near one of the psychic settlements - they were taught much the same as any other child, trained to keep their powers contained, and then were given a home and left to fend for themselves in the settlement at the age of eighteen.
This continued on for a long time, with regulations becoming more strict and fine-tuned, psychics essentially being social pariahs. There was plenty of lobbying for equal rights, but fear is a strong force, and until blunts came about those in power refused to bend.
It wasn't until blunts became more populous that psychics were gradually allowed to reintegrate back into society.
Cultural Reception
Any telepath is still treated with wariness at first, and telepathy remains the discipline most tightly observed - given the ability of particularly strong telepaths to control others, this caution is not unfounded. Anyone found to be a telepath is mandated to go through an intense examination of character, for public safety.
Other psychics have an easier time, and are treated quite fairly by most - though many are pestered by inquisitive individuals, and it's not an infrequent occurrence to be asked to show off your capabilities in some manner. Children are especially likely to ask a psychic to do something 'cool.' Most psychics therefor either have a lot of patience, or go about their day trying to keep their capabilities as little-known as possible.
The militaries of the world, naturally, seek out psychics rank 6 and upward to try and recruit.
See also:
