Telepathy

   The Russians were cool way before we were (say the 50's and 60's).  They experimented with something that seemed like telepathy at the time.

   Surprise surprise.

   We're back to power lines.

   It was given a futuristic name that seems dated now - psychotronics.  It actually works.  And I've mentioned it before without using that name.

    Why'd they give up on weaponizing it for any practical use?

   All it takes to beat is awareness.

    But like every great idea with the goal of manipulating the human mind it won't stay dead.

   It really needs to.

   What does it have to do with any of this?

   Quite a bit.