Psionics is the discipline of manipulating physical factors through mental force of will, and is one of the forefronts of scientific development and advancement. Weapons that can neutralize foes by disrupting their thought patterns, genetic modifications to grant once-rare powers to newborns, and training at high-brow schools for those who want to develop talents they've inherited or injected are all fairly common.
Many psions are not 'innate' users, but have attained their powers through genetic manipulation therapy; as such, they are usually at least moderately to highly wealthy and intelligent. The best and the brightest are often dabblers at the psionic arts, although most specialize in one or two talents that they regularly put to use.