Design Monologue 13: Human Potential

So, it's no real secret that the Abelites figured out psionics.

That's an overstatement, but a common one among other Homeworlders.

Centuries of genetic engineering led the Abelites to some amazing discoveries. They have radically altered their own genome, to the point where all natural-born Abelites carry genetic modifications engineered hundreds of years ago, and will carry them until evolution or some artificial force changes their genetic code.

The average Abelite possesses great intelligence and exceptional sensory abilities. In particular, they have very sensitive vision and hearing, and adaptation to the extreme environment in which they live on their Homeworld. Those who live primarily on Abel typically install nanomachines to greatly augment their vision, to the point where they can see hints of sunlight through the kilometers of ice that blanket the planet. Visitors to those cities usually employ external devices to amplify the extremely dim ambient light.

Abelites are very perceptive. It is hard to lie to or bluff an Abelite, for they are very keen to notice subtle details of body language and intonation; their common folk rank among the best readers of "normal" genetics. The sensitivity of their perception can equally well lead to false positives, as cultural differences can be easily misinterpreted. For this reason, Abelites who must work with other races typically train to dull their perception, to try to work on a more mundane level.

That's just the average Abelite; they have their extremes.

A small fraction of Abelites, a few percent of the population, possess certain traits which can enable greater heights of mental acuity. As children, these Abelites attend special schools, where they learn to hone their minds. Specifically, they practice meditation, thought control, and mastery of their emotions, as well as altered states of consciousness.

Success in this study yields individuals who can enter trance-like states, in which their mental functions vastly exceed normal human capability. Usually, they learn several specific skills, such as complex mathematical calculations, the ability to speak dozens of languages...or even incredible combat abilities.

The latter case was exploited to great degree during the rising tensions after the second Koruunite war. Abel bred an elite force of hyperintelligent battle machines, augmented by powerful cybernetic technology. Think Data, but programmed for war, and mostly human, rather than mostly machine.

Another coup of Abelite technology was the blending of advanced cybernetics and this genetic talent to produce, effectively, practical psychics. Individuals with the ability to master their own thoughts could be fitted by machinery that would allow them to project said thoughts onto others.

While the most talented Abelite "psychics" had long been employed as interrogators, negotiators, and even personal security advisors, this new breed could take it one step further; they could affect emotions, or even implant suggestions, leading to incredible diplomatic possibilities.

This development they kept to themselves, at least until the Earthgate war. During the desperate retreat from the Earthgate, they realized that only they could turn the tide against the drones. Hyperintelligent humans fitted with cybernetic computer interfaces could battle the drones on their home turf: electronic warfare. It was this special force, more so than their combat elite or psychics, who were first able to recapture compromised ships, automatons, and, most importantly, jumpgates, paving the way for an allied counterattack to reclaim the Homeworlds.

When the smoke cleared, their fellow Homeworlders, as well as their own, more mundane people, began to ask serious questions about the ethics of employing such exceptional individuals.

Thus, came the understanding in the Foundation today.