How to accurately detect children with super strength?











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We are in a world very similar to ours. But, one day, 1% of the children that are turning 10 are gaining super strength (this is an ongoing process : from that date, all the children under 10 may potentially obtain that super strength at their 10th birthday). This phenomenon is roughly evenly distributed geographically, so no country really has a higher share of these children compared to their population.



This super strength can range from having the strength of a strong adult male (for most of them) to truly ridiculous feats like being able to punch through walls and run hours at 50 km/h without being tired (extremely rare). It isn't lost as they age and grows at the same proportion the strength of a normal child would. The muscle mass isn't increased and there are no apparent changes to their body.



Governments of the world, after initial analysis of this phenomenon, decided it would be better to know exactly which kid has super strength and which kid doesn't. They enacted new laws requiring that children on their tenth birthday submit themselves to testing, and the results of that test are put on a special global database, so people can know if necessary if they have super strength or not. Not having done that test is grounds for arrest and being forced to perform it.



The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc. but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super strength.



Is there a way to be certain that the kids are giving their all at the test, or is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?










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  • You know, you could just ask their parents...or their teachers...instead of a bureaucratic "on their tenth birthday they must submit themselves for exam"
    – user535733
    6 hours ago










  • @user535733 That would mean, for a period of time, having kids with super-strength that are authorized to live in society but where the authorities don't know if they have super-strength or not, which is unacceptable to the governments. They want to have a complete and exhaustive database of every kid with super-strength, and as it appears on a child's tenth birthday, the test must be done then.
    – motezazer
    6 hours ago










  • You're doing a magical hand-waveium type power. Extra strength with no detectable differences in bone and muscle mass? Powered by magic? There's no way you can actually do that without showing physical signs, since 10 year old bones are not mature and cannot handle even plain "adult" strength. You'll end up with kids that have very noticeable deformities due to disproportionate strength applied to the bones. If it's magic, then I guess eventually they'll figure out how to detect this "magic" one way or another.
    – Nelson
    2 hours ago












  • There are two conceivable ways super strength can get manifested - upscaling (all basic motions suddenly becoming more powerful, and hero needs to learn to hold back his strength) and extra range (all basic motions are not changing, but hero learns that if tries to push harder than ever, the upper limit also goes higher). Since "upscaling" would be relatively easy to detect, you want to be able to detect "extra range", right?
    – Alexander
    29 mins ago















up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1












We are in a world very similar to ours. But, one day, 1% of the children that are turning 10 are gaining super strength (this is an ongoing process : from that date, all the children under 10 may potentially obtain that super strength at their 10th birthday). This phenomenon is roughly evenly distributed geographically, so no country really has a higher share of these children compared to their population.



This super strength can range from having the strength of a strong adult male (for most of them) to truly ridiculous feats like being able to punch through walls and run hours at 50 km/h without being tired (extremely rare). It isn't lost as they age and grows at the same proportion the strength of a normal child would. The muscle mass isn't increased and there are no apparent changes to their body.



Governments of the world, after initial analysis of this phenomenon, decided it would be better to know exactly which kid has super strength and which kid doesn't. They enacted new laws requiring that children on their tenth birthday submit themselves to testing, and the results of that test are put on a special global database, so people can know if necessary if they have super strength or not. Not having done that test is grounds for arrest and being forced to perform it.



The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc. but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super strength.



Is there a way to be certain that the kids are giving their all at the test, or is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?










share|improve this question






















  • You know, you could just ask their parents...or their teachers...instead of a bureaucratic "on their tenth birthday they must submit themselves for exam"
    – user535733
    6 hours ago










  • @user535733 That would mean, for a period of time, having kids with super-strength that are authorized to live in society but where the authorities don't know if they have super-strength or not, which is unacceptable to the governments. They want to have a complete and exhaustive database of every kid with super-strength, and as it appears on a child's tenth birthday, the test must be done then.
    – motezazer
    6 hours ago










  • You're doing a magical hand-waveium type power. Extra strength with no detectable differences in bone and muscle mass? Powered by magic? There's no way you can actually do that without showing physical signs, since 10 year old bones are not mature and cannot handle even plain "adult" strength. You'll end up with kids that have very noticeable deformities due to disproportionate strength applied to the bones. If it's magic, then I guess eventually they'll figure out how to detect this "magic" one way or another.
    – Nelson
    2 hours ago












  • There are two conceivable ways super strength can get manifested - upscaling (all basic motions suddenly becoming more powerful, and hero needs to learn to hold back his strength) and extra range (all basic motions are not changing, but hero learns that if tries to push harder than ever, the upper limit also goes higher). Since "upscaling" would be relatively easy to detect, you want to be able to detect "extra range", right?
    – Alexander
    29 mins ago













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1





We are in a world very similar to ours. But, one day, 1% of the children that are turning 10 are gaining super strength (this is an ongoing process : from that date, all the children under 10 may potentially obtain that super strength at their 10th birthday). This phenomenon is roughly evenly distributed geographically, so no country really has a higher share of these children compared to their population.



This super strength can range from having the strength of a strong adult male (for most of them) to truly ridiculous feats like being able to punch through walls and run hours at 50 km/h without being tired (extremely rare). It isn't lost as they age and grows at the same proportion the strength of a normal child would. The muscle mass isn't increased and there are no apparent changes to their body.



Governments of the world, after initial analysis of this phenomenon, decided it would be better to know exactly which kid has super strength and which kid doesn't. They enacted new laws requiring that children on their tenth birthday submit themselves to testing, and the results of that test are put on a special global database, so people can know if necessary if they have super strength or not. Not having done that test is grounds for arrest and being forced to perform it.



The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc. but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super strength.



Is there a way to be certain that the kids are giving their all at the test, or is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?










share|improve this question













We are in a world very similar to ours. But, one day, 1% of the children that are turning 10 are gaining super strength (this is an ongoing process : from that date, all the children under 10 may potentially obtain that super strength at their 10th birthday). This phenomenon is roughly evenly distributed geographically, so no country really has a higher share of these children compared to their population.



This super strength can range from having the strength of a strong adult male (for most of them) to truly ridiculous feats like being able to punch through walls and run hours at 50 km/h without being tired (extremely rare). It isn't lost as they age and grows at the same proportion the strength of a normal child would. The muscle mass isn't increased and there are no apparent changes to their body.



Governments of the world, after initial analysis of this phenomenon, decided it would be better to know exactly which kid has super strength and which kid doesn't. They enacted new laws requiring that children on their tenth birthday submit themselves to testing, and the results of that test are put on a special global database, so people can know if necessary if they have super strength or not. Not having done that test is grounds for arrest and being forced to perform it.



The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc. but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super strength.



Is there a way to be certain that the kids are giving their all at the test, or is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?







science-based humans






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asked 7 hours ago









motezazer

445




445












  • You know, you could just ask their parents...or their teachers...instead of a bureaucratic "on their tenth birthday they must submit themselves for exam"
    – user535733
    6 hours ago










  • @user535733 That would mean, for a period of time, having kids with super-strength that are authorized to live in society but where the authorities don't know if they have super-strength or not, which is unacceptable to the governments. They want to have a complete and exhaustive database of every kid with super-strength, and as it appears on a child's tenth birthday, the test must be done then.
    – motezazer
    6 hours ago










  • You're doing a magical hand-waveium type power. Extra strength with no detectable differences in bone and muscle mass? Powered by magic? There's no way you can actually do that without showing physical signs, since 10 year old bones are not mature and cannot handle even plain "adult" strength. You'll end up with kids that have very noticeable deformities due to disproportionate strength applied to the bones. If it's magic, then I guess eventually they'll figure out how to detect this "magic" one way or another.
    – Nelson
    2 hours ago












  • There are two conceivable ways super strength can get manifested - upscaling (all basic motions suddenly becoming more powerful, and hero needs to learn to hold back his strength) and extra range (all basic motions are not changing, but hero learns that if tries to push harder than ever, the upper limit also goes higher). Since "upscaling" would be relatively easy to detect, you want to be able to detect "extra range", right?
    – Alexander
    29 mins ago


















  • You know, you could just ask their parents...or their teachers...instead of a bureaucratic "on their tenth birthday they must submit themselves for exam"
    – user535733
    6 hours ago










  • @user535733 That would mean, for a period of time, having kids with super-strength that are authorized to live in society but where the authorities don't know if they have super-strength or not, which is unacceptable to the governments. They want to have a complete and exhaustive database of every kid with super-strength, and as it appears on a child's tenth birthday, the test must be done then.
    – motezazer
    6 hours ago










  • You're doing a magical hand-waveium type power. Extra strength with no detectable differences in bone and muscle mass? Powered by magic? There's no way you can actually do that without showing physical signs, since 10 year old bones are not mature and cannot handle even plain "adult" strength. You'll end up with kids that have very noticeable deformities due to disproportionate strength applied to the bones. If it's magic, then I guess eventually they'll figure out how to detect this "magic" one way or another.
    – Nelson
    2 hours ago












  • There are two conceivable ways super strength can get manifested - upscaling (all basic motions suddenly becoming more powerful, and hero needs to learn to hold back his strength) and extra range (all basic motions are not changing, but hero learns that if tries to push harder than ever, the upper limit also goes higher). Since "upscaling" would be relatively easy to detect, you want to be able to detect "extra range", right?
    – Alexander
    29 mins ago
















You know, you could just ask their parents...or their teachers...instead of a bureaucratic "on their tenth birthday they must submit themselves for exam"
– user535733
6 hours ago




You know, you could just ask their parents...or their teachers...instead of a bureaucratic "on their tenth birthday they must submit themselves for exam"
– user535733
6 hours ago












@user535733 That would mean, for a period of time, having kids with super-strength that are authorized to live in society but where the authorities don't know if they have super-strength or not, which is unacceptable to the governments. They want to have a complete and exhaustive database of every kid with super-strength, and as it appears on a child's tenth birthday, the test must be done then.
– motezazer
6 hours ago




@user535733 That would mean, for a period of time, having kids with super-strength that are authorized to live in society but where the authorities don't know if they have super-strength or not, which is unacceptable to the governments. They want to have a complete and exhaustive database of every kid with super-strength, and as it appears on a child's tenth birthday, the test must be done then.
– motezazer
6 hours ago












You're doing a magical hand-waveium type power. Extra strength with no detectable differences in bone and muscle mass? Powered by magic? There's no way you can actually do that without showing physical signs, since 10 year old bones are not mature and cannot handle even plain "adult" strength. You'll end up with kids that have very noticeable deformities due to disproportionate strength applied to the bones. If it's magic, then I guess eventually they'll figure out how to detect this "magic" one way or another.
– Nelson
2 hours ago






You're doing a magical hand-waveium type power. Extra strength with no detectable differences in bone and muscle mass? Powered by magic? There's no way you can actually do that without showing physical signs, since 10 year old bones are not mature and cannot handle even plain "adult" strength. You'll end up with kids that have very noticeable deformities due to disproportionate strength applied to the bones. If it's magic, then I guess eventually they'll figure out how to detect this "magic" one way or another.
– Nelson
2 hours ago














There are two conceivable ways super strength can get manifested - upscaling (all basic motions suddenly becoming more powerful, and hero needs to learn to hold back his strength) and extra range (all basic motions are not changing, but hero learns that if tries to push harder than ever, the upper limit also goes higher). Since "upscaling" would be relatively easy to detect, you want to be able to detect "extra range", right?
– Alexander
29 mins ago




There are two conceivable ways super strength can get manifested - upscaling (all basic motions suddenly becoming more powerful, and hero needs to learn to hold back his strength) and extra range (all basic motions are not changing, but hero learns that if tries to push harder than ever, the upper limit also goes higher). Since "upscaling" would be relatively easy to detect, you want to be able to detect "extra range", right?
– Alexander
29 mins ago










7 Answers
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is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?




You know that test doctors do, in which they hit you sligjtly below the kneecap with a little hammer to test a reflex?



Do it with their legs tied to something heavy.



Or have them punch a punching bag... It's not hard to see whether someone is pulling their punches.






share|improve this answer





















  • But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
    – Nelson
    2 hours ago


















up vote
4
down vote














  1. Children of that age are naive about many things. A trained 'nice cop - nasty cop' setup would easily trip them up. Once they've admitted it verbally (and they will certainly know) getting them to give a demonstration is easy.


  2. Even more unethical method - Isolate them from their parents and say they will never see them again unless they can escape. If they can break free then they have the strength. If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop. (I wish I hadn't thought of this, it's reminiscent of Dr Mengele)


  3. Find out what they really want for Christmas (other religions and customs may apply) and tempt them with it if they'll demonstrate their abilities.







share|improve this answer























  • "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
    – Renan
    5 hours ago










  • Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
    – chasly from UK
    5 hours ago


















up vote
2
down vote













Make it so they want to be detected. Give the strongest special status and high honours and all the nice things in life. Have special sporting leagues featuring the super strong competing for hordes of devoted fans.



Basically make it so people want to prove they are as strong as possible, rather than trying to hide it.






share|improve this answer





















  • This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
    – Richard
    3 hours ago










  • I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
    – hyperion4
    2 hours ago


















up vote
1
down vote













Tests that depend on surprise or reflex, not conscious action. Also of benefit is that kids tend to have poor decision making skills, which means it's easy to make them forget instructions to cheat.



For instance, get them playing a physical game, informing them it's just to give them something to do after the tests are done (which are normal, boring tests that could be faked), and that doing well awards them some prize that a 10 year old would want. Then you very subtly start ramping up the difficulty which, if they're invested in the game, they'll unconsciously compensate for. Say, playing a version of dodgeball against an automated cannon, where they have to avoid getting hit by the ball but in turn have to knock over targets to "win" by beating the cannon. You start off with the cannon tracking and firing at speeds a normal kid would be expected to have a chance against and targets that don't require much force to knock over, then slowly ramp up the difficulty.



It's incredibly hard to fake being less physically proficient than you are. Ask a fast runner to look like they're running as fast as they can, but pretend they're slower than they really are; it's a hard thing to do. An example that comes to mind is the Deep Space Nine episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite". Max Grodénchik, who played Rom, considered a career in pro baseball before going into acting, but Rom was supposed to be the most inept player on the DS9 team, and Grodénchik found it impossible to play that badly. He ended up having to play leftie (throwing, batting, and catching) in order to look realistically bad.



A kid is going to have an even worse time trying to fake it.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    1
    down vote














    "The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect
    these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc.
    but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake
    a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super
    strength."




    "No way"? These children attend school surely? A very normal part of your schooling is gym/recess and so on. It should not be at all hard to notice some 10 year-old punting a football over the school or possessing a seven foot vertical leap. Have your recess monitors and gym teachers actually pay attention- problem solved and without taxpayers having to fork over more money to detect superhumans. Gym has grades to measure exactly how you compare to everyone else physically- as part of a bog-standard schooling experience. This is not something that's going to be hidden- especially not by kids who aren't even teens.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      If your population is determined to keep the super-strength hidden, use knee reflect test as @Renan suggested, or attach electrodes to a muscle in the body, and zap them with a small amount of electricity to cause involuntary motion. Or several different muscles, stimulated in random order to make faking harder. As a final step, you can sedate kids, but it is a lot of effort to do safely, and kinda boring.



      Also, they can do medical test for something in body's biology that is the source (or consequence) of strength: increased adrenalin, higher muscle density, stronger bones or tendons (to handle super-muscles)



      "Surpize" tests will not work as population will learn about all of them soon enough.



      But, Social Enginnering offers easy ways to ensure that people openly reveal their strength.




      1. Tell your population that enemy countries use their super-strong people as soldiers, so yours needs to defend itself. Make your own super-strong soldiers heroes to the public (like sports stars in US). You do not even have to pay them that much, they might get enough money from product endorsements or simply donations. Can you imagine a teen that does not want that for themselves?


      2. Even if you lock supers up and experiment on them, tell people that uncontrolled super-strength is dangerous, both to super and those around them. Spread viral videos of accidents involving unexperienced supers. The official PR campaign is that testing is a responsible and caring thing to do; also encourage "if you see something, say something"; what if that super accidentally hurts you, or your g/f?







      share|improve this answer






























        up vote
        0
        down vote













        offer candy to any kid that can lift the barbell. it's not that complicated.



        as long as there is no punishment for the supers, there is no disinclination on their, or their parents account, at demonstrating their prowess.



        the actual complication comes in interactions between supers with their non-super peer group, since kids are generally mean, selfish, impulsive and just generally nasty.



        in which case, the supers may need to be segregated, which then drives the motive to secrecy. that's good drama right there.






        share|improve this answer





















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          7 Answers
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          7 Answers
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          up vote
          10
          down vote














          is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?




          You know that test doctors do, in which they hit you sligjtly below the kneecap with a little hammer to test a reflex?



          Do it with their legs tied to something heavy.



          Or have them punch a punching bag... It's not hard to see whether someone is pulling their punches.






          share|improve this answer





















          • But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
            – Nelson
            2 hours ago















          up vote
          10
          down vote














          is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?




          You know that test doctors do, in which they hit you sligjtly below the kneecap with a little hammer to test a reflex?



          Do it with their legs tied to something heavy.



          Or have them punch a punching bag... It's not hard to see whether someone is pulling their punches.






          share|improve this answer





















          • But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
            – Nelson
            2 hours ago













          up vote
          10
          down vote










          up vote
          10
          down vote










          is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?




          You know that test doctors do, in which they hit you sligjtly below the kneecap with a little hammer to test a reflex?



          Do it with their legs tied to something heavy.



          Or have them punch a punching bag... It's not hard to see whether someone is pulling their punches.






          share|improve this answer













          is there a physical test where strength can be determined regardless of if the kid is trying to dissimulate their super strength?




          You know that test doctors do, in which they hit you sligjtly below the kneecap with a little hammer to test a reflex?



          Do it with their legs tied to something heavy.



          Or have them punch a punching bag... It's not hard to see whether someone is pulling their punches.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 6 hours ago









          Renan

          39.6k1191203




          39.6k1191203












          • But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
            – Nelson
            2 hours ago


















          • But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
            – Nelson
            2 hours ago
















          But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
          – Nelson
          2 hours ago




          But a 10 year old probably doesn't know how to punch to begin with.
          – Nelson
          2 hours ago










          up vote
          4
          down vote














          1. Children of that age are naive about many things. A trained 'nice cop - nasty cop' setup would easily trip them up. Once they've admitted it verbally (and they will certainly know) getting them to give a demonstration is easy.


          2. Even more unethical method - Isolate them from their parents and say they will never see them again unless they can escape. If they can break free then they have the strength. If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop. (I wish I hadn't thought of this, it's reminiscent of Dr Mengele)


          3. Find out what they really want for Christmas (other religions and customs may apply) and tempt them with it if they'll demonstrate their abilities.







          share|improve this answer























          • "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
            – Renan
            5 hours ago










          • Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
            – chasly from UK
            5 hours ago















          up vote
          4
          down vote














          1. Children of that age are naive about many things. A trained 'nice cop - nasty cop' setup would easily trip them up. Once they've admitted it verbally (and they will certainly know) getting them to give a demonstration is easy.


          2. Even more unethical method - Isolate them from their parents and say they will never see them again unless they can escape. If they can break free then they have the strength. If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop. (I wish I hadn't thought of this, it's reminiscent of Dr Mengele)


          3. Find out what they really want for Christmas (other religions and customs may apply) and tempt them with it if they'll demonstrate their abilities.







          share|improve this answer























          • "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
            – Renan
            5 hours ago










          • Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
            – chasly from UK
            5 hours ago













          up vote
          4
          down vote










          up vote
          4
          down vote










          1. Children of that age are naive about many things. A trained 'nice cop - nasty cop' setup would easily trip them up. Once they've admitted it verbally (and they will certainly know) getting them to give a demonstration is easy.


          2. Even more unethical method - Isolate them from their parents and say they will never see them again unless they can escape. If they can break free then they have the strength. If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop. (I wish I hadn't thought of this, it's reminiscent of Dr Mengele)


          3. Find out what they really want for Christmas (other religions and customs may apply) and tempt them with it if they'll demonstrate their abilities.







          share|improve this answer















          1. Children of that age are naive about many things. A trained 'nice cop - nasty cop' setup would easily trip them up. Once they've admitted it verbally (and they will certainly know) getting them to give a demonstration is easy.


          2. Even more unethical method - Isolate them from their parents and say they will never see them again unless they can escape. If they can break free then they have the strength. If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop. (I wish I hadn't thought of this, it's reminiscent of Dr Mengele)


          3. Find out what they really want for Christmas (other religions and customs may apply) and tempt them with it if they'll demonstrate their abilities.








          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 6 hours ago

























          answered 6 hours ago









          chasly from UK

          7,01723472




          7,01723472












          • "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
            – Renan
            5 hours ago










          • Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
            – chasly from UK
            5 hours ago


















          • "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
            – Renan
            5 hours ago










          • Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
            – chasly from UK
            5 hours ago
















          "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
          – Renan
          5 hours ago




          "If they can't then they will show increasing distress and the test can stop" they have to retest once a year, they'll find a way to abuse this.
          – Renan
          5 hours ago












          Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
          – chasly from UK
          5 hours ago




          Well, I deliberately self-censored when suggesting that. It's easy to imagine more stressful situations than being separated from their parents. I just didn't want to verbalise them.
          – chasly from UK
          5 hours ago










          up vote
          2
          down vote













          Make it so they want to be detected. Give the strongest special status and high honours and all the nice things in life. Have special sporting leagues featuring the super strong competing for hordes of devoted fans.



          Basically make it so people want to prove they are as strong as possible, rather than trying to hide it.






          share|improve this answer





















          • This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
            – Richard
            3 hours ago










          • I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
            – hyperion4
            2 hours ago















          up vote
          2
          down vote













          Make it so they want to be detected. Give the strongest special status and high honours and all the nice things in life. Have special sporting leagues featuring the super strong competing for hordes of devoted fans.



          Basically make it so people want to prove they are as strong as possible, rather than trying to hide it.






          share|improve this answer





















          • This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
            – Richard
            3 hours ago










          • I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
            – hyperion4
            2 hours ago













          up vote
          2
          down vote










          up vote
          2
          down vote









          Make it so they want to be detected. Give the strongest special status and high honours and all the nice things in life. Have special sporting leagues featuring the super strong competing for hordes of devoted fans.



          Basically make it so people want to prove they are as strong as possible, rather than trying to hide it.






          share|improve this answer












          Make it so they want to be detected. Give the strongest special status and high honours and all the nice things in life. Have special sporting leagues featuring the super strong competing for hordes of devoted fans.



          Basically make it so people want to prove they are as strong as possible, rather than trying to hide it.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 6 hours ago









          Tim B

          57.5k22161278




          57.5k22161278












          • This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
            – Richard
            3 hours ago










          • I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
            – hyperion4
            2 hours ago


















          • This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
            – Richard
            3 hours ago










          • I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
            – hyperion4
            2 hours ago
















          This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
          – Richard
          3 hours ago




          This test would seem designed to detect super-powered extroverts. An introvert would do everything they could to avoid being the centre of attention in this way
          – Richard
          3 hours ago












          I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
          – hyperion4
          2 hours ago




          I like this idea. Kinda like the Hunger Games. The parents should get lots of gold from advertising contracts if their kids win the contests of strength.
          – hyperion4
          2 hours ago










          up vote
          1
          down vote













          Tests that depend on surprise or reflex, not conscious action. Also of benefit is that kids tend to have poor decision making skills, which means it's easy to make them forget instructions to cheat.



          For instance, get them playing a physical game, informing them it's just to give them something to do after the tests are done (which are normal, boring tests that could be faked), and that doing well awards them some prize that a 10 year old would want. Then you very subtly start ramping up the difficulty which, if they're invested in the game, they'll unconsciously compensate for. Say, playing a version of dodgeball against an automated cannon, where they have to avoid getting hit by the ball but in turn have to knock over targets to "win" by beating the cannon. You start off with the cannon tracking and firing at speeds a normal kid would be expected to have a chance against and targets that don't require much force to knock over, then slowly ramp up the difficulty.



          It's incredibly hard to fake being less physically proficient than you are. Ask a fast runner to look like they're running as fast as they can, but pretend they're slower than they really are; it's a hard thing to do. An example that comes to mind is the Deep Space Nine episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite". Max Grodénchik, who played Rom, considered a career in pro baseball before going into acting, but Rom was supposed to be the most inept player on the DS9 team, and Grodénchik found it impossible to play that badly. He ended up having to play leftie (throwing, batting, and catching) in order to look realistically bad.



          A kid is going to have an even worse time trying to fake it.






          share|improve this answer

























            up vote
            1
            down vote













            Tests that depend on surprise or reflex, not conscious action. Also of benefit is that kids tend to have poor decision making skills, which means it's easy to make them forget instructions to cheat.



            For instance, get them playing a physical game, informing them it's just to give them something to do after the tests are done (which are normal, boring tests that could be faked), and that doing well awards them some prize that a 10 year old would want. Then you very subtly start ramping up the difficulty which, if they're invested in the game, they'll unconsciously compensate for. Say, playing a version of dodgeball against an automated cannon, where they have to avoid getting hit by the ball but in turn have to knock over targets to "win" by beating the cannon. You start off with the cannon tracking and firing at speeds a normal kid would be expected to have a chance against and targets that don't require much force to knock over, then slowly ramp up the difficulty.



            It's incredibly hard to fake being less physically proficient than you are. Ask a fast runner to look like they're running as fast as they can, but pretend they're slower than they really are; it's a hard thing to do. An example that comes to mind is the Deep Space Nine episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite". Max Grodénchik, who played Rom, considered a career in pro baseball before going into acting, but Rom was supposed to be the most inept player on the DS9 team, and Grodénchik found it impossible to play that badly. He ended up having to play leftie (throwing, batting, and catching) in order to look realistically bad.



            A kid is going to have an even worse time trying to fake it.






            share|improve this answer























              up vote
              1
              down vote










              up vote
              1
              down vote









              Tests that depend on surprise or reflex, not conscious action. Also of benefit is that kids tend to have poor decision making skills, which means it's easy to make them forget instructions to cheat.



              For instance, get them playing a physical game, informing them it's just to give them something to do after the tests are done (which are normal, boring tests that could be faked), and that doing well awards them some prize that a 10 year old would want. Then you very subtly start ramping up the difficulty which, if they're invested in the game, they'll unconsciously compensate for. Say, playing a version of dodgeball against an automated cannon, where they have to avoid getting hit by the ball but in turn have to knock over targets to "win" by beating the cannon. You start off with the cannon tracking and firing at speeds a normal kid would be expected to have a chance against and targets that don't require much force to knock over, then slowly ramp up the difficulty.



              It's incredibly hard to fake being less physically proficient than you are. Ask a fast runner to look like they're running as fast as they can, but pretend they're slower than they really are; it's a hard thing to do. An example that comes to mind is the Deep Space Nine episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite". Max Grodénchik, who played Rom, considered a career in pro baseball before going into acting, but Rom was supposed to be the most inept player on the DS9 team, and Grodénchik found it impossible to play that badly. He ended up having to play leftie (throwing, batting, and catching) in order to look realistically bad.



              A kid is going to have an even worse time trying to fake it.






              share|improve this answer












              Tests that depend on surprise or reflex, not conscious action. Also of benefit is that kids tend to have poor decision making skills, which means it's easy to make them forget instructions to cheat.



              For instance, get them playing a physical game, informing them it's just to give them something to do after the tests are done (which are normal, boring tests that could be faked), and that doing well awards them some prize that a 10 year old would want. Then you very subtly start ramping up the difficulty which, if they're invested in the game, they'll unconsciously compensate for. Say, playing a version of dodgeball against an automated cannon, where they have to avoid getting hit by the ball but in turn have to knock over targets to "win" by beating the cannon. You start off with the cannon tracking and firing at speeds a normal kid would be expected to have a chance against and targets that don't require much force to knock over, then slowly ramp up the difficulty.



              It's incredibly hard to fake being less physically proficient than you are. Ask a fast runner to look like they're running as fast as they can, but pretend they're slower than they really are; it's a hard thing to do. An example that comes to mind is the Deep Space Nine episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite". Max Grodénchik, who played Rom, considered a career in pro baseball before going into acting, but Rom was supposed to be the most inept player on the DS9 team, and Grodénchik found it impossible to play that badly. He ended up having to play leftie (throwing, batting, and catching) in order to look realistically bad.



              A kid is going to have an even worse time trying to fake it.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 6 hours ago









              Keith Morrison

              5,3261922




              5,3261922






















                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote














                  "The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect
                  these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc.
                  but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake
                  a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super
                  strength."




                  "No way"? These children attend school surely? A very normal part of your schooling is gym/recess and so on. It should not be at all hard to notice some 10 year-old punting a football over the school or possessing a seven foot vertical leap. Have your recess monitors and gym teachers actually pay attention- problem solved and without taxpayers having to fork over more money to detect superhumans. Gym has grades to measure exactly how you compare to everyone else physically- as part of a bog-standard schooling experience. This is not something that's going to be hidden- especially not by kids who aren't even teens.






                  share|improve this answer

























                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote














                    "The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect
                    these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc.
                    but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake
                    a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super
                    strength."




                    "No way"? These children attend school surely? A very normal part of your schooling is gym/recess and so on. It should not be at all hard to notice some 10 year-old punting a football over the school or possessing a seven foot vertical leap. Have your recess monitors and gym teachers actually pay attention- problem solved and without taxpayers having to fork over more money to detect superhumans. Gym has grades to measure exactly how you compare to everyone else physically- as part of a bog-standard schooling experience. This is not something that's going to be hidden- especially not by kids who aren't even teens.






                    share|improve this answer























                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote










                      "The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect
                      these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc.
                      but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake
                      a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super
                      strength."




                      "No way"? These children attend school surely? A very normal part of your schooling is gym/recess and so on. It should not be at all hard to notice some 10 year-old punting a football over the school or possessing a seven foot vertical leap. Have your recess monitors and gym teachers actually pay attention- problem solved and without taxpayers having to fork over more money to detect superhumans. Gym has grades to measure exactly how you compare to everyone else physically- as part of a bog-standard schooling experience. This is not something that's going to be hidden- especially not by kids who aren't even teens.






                      share|improve this answer













                      "The main problem is the test itself. There is no other way to detect
                      these "super kids" than measuring their strength/speed/stamina etc.
                      but the governments are worried that parents may instruct kids to fake
                      a lower strength and avoid registration as a person with super
                      strength."




                      "No way"? These children attend school surely? A very normal part of your schooling is gym/recess and so on. It should not be at all hard to notice some 10 year-old punting a football over the school or possessing a seven foot vertical leap. Have your recess monitors and gym teachers actually pay attention- problem solved and without taxpayers having to fork over more money to detect superhumans. Gym has grades to measure exactly how you compare to everyone else physically- as part of a bog-standard schooling experience. This is not something that's going to be hidden- especially not by kids who aren't even teens.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered 2 hours ago









                      Friendlysociopath

                      9621611




                      9621611






















                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          If your population is determined to keep the super-strength hidden, use knee reflect test as @Renan suggested, or attach electrodes to a muscle in the body, and zap them with a small amount of electricity to cause involuntary motion. Or several different muscles, stimulated in random order to make faking harder. As a final step, you can sedate kids, but it is a lot of effort to do safely, and kinda boring.



                          Also, they can do medical test for something in body's biology that is the source (or consequence) of strength: increased adrenalin, higher muscle density, stronger bones or tendons (to handle super-muscles)



                          "Surpize" tests will not work as population will learn about all of them soon enough.



                          But, Social Enginnering offers easy ways to ensure that people openly reveal their strength.




                          1. Tell your population that enemy countries use their super-strong people as soldiers, so yours needs to defend itself. Make your own super-strong soldiers heroes to the public (like sports stars in US). You do not even have to pay them that much, they might get enough money from product endorsements or simply donations. Can you imagine a teen that does not want that for themselves?


                          2. Even if you lock supers up and experiment on them, tell people that uncontrolled super-strength is dangerous, both to super and those around them. Spread viral videos of accidents involving unexperienced supers. The official PR campaign is that testing is a responsible and caring thing to do; also encourage "if you see something, say something"; what if that super accidentally hurts you, or your g/f?







                          share|improve this answer



























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote













                            If your population is determined to keep the super-strength hidden, use knee reflect test as @Renan suggested, or attach electrodes to a muscle in the body, and zap them with a small amount of electricity to cause involuntary motion. Or several different muscles, stimulated in random order to make faking harder. As a final step, you can sedate kids, but it is a lot of effort to do safely, and kinda boring.



                            Also, they can do medical test for something in body's biology that is the source (or consequence) of strength: increased adrenalin, higher muscle density, stronger bones or tendons (to handle super-muscles)



                            "Surpize" tests will not work as population will learn about all of them soon enough.



                            But, Social Enginnering offers easy ways to ensure that people openly reveal their strength.




                            1. Tell your population that enemy countries use their super-strong people as soldiers, so yours needs to defend itself. Make your own super-strong soldiers heroes to the public (like sports stars in US). You do not even have to pay them that much, they might get enough money from product endorsements or simply donations. Can you imagine a teen that does not want that for themselves?


                            2. Even if you lock supers up and experiment on them, tell people that uncontrolled super-strength is dangerous, both to super and those around them. Spread viral videos of accidents involving unexperienced supers. The official PR campaign is that testing is a responsible and caring thing to do; also encourage "if you see something, say something"; what if that super accidentally hurts you, or your g/f?







                            share|improve this answer

























                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote









                              If your population is determined to keep the super-strength hidden, use knee reflect test as @Renan suggested, or attach electrodes to a muscle in the body, and zap them with a small amount of electricity to cause involuntary motion. Or several different muscles, stimulated in random order to make faking harder. As a final step, you can sedate kids, but it is a lot of effort to do safely, and kinda boring.



                              Also, they can do medical test for something in body's biology that is the source (or consequence) of strength: increased adrenalin, higher muscle density, stronger bones or tendons (to handle super-muscles)



                              "Surpize" tests will not work as population will learn about all of them soon enough.



                              But, Social Enginnering offers easy ways to ensure that people openly reveal their strength.




                              1. Tell your population that enemy countries use their super-strong people as soldiers, so yours needs to defend itself. Make your own super-strong soldiers heroes to the public (like sports stars in US). You do not even have to pay them that much, they might get enough money from product endorsements or simply donations. Can you imagine a teen that does not want that for themselves?


                              2. Even if you lock supers up and experiment on them, tell people that uncontrolled super-strength is dangerous, both to super and those around them. Spread viral videos of accidents involving unexperienced supers. The official PR campaign is that testing is a responsible and caring thing to do; also encourage "if you see something, say something"; what if that super accidentally hurts you, or your g/f?







                              share|improve this answer














                              If your population is determined to keep the super-strength hidden, use knee reflect test as @Renan suggested, or attach electrodes to a muscle in the body, and zap them with a small amount of electricity to cause involuntary motion. Or several different muscles, stimulated in random order to make faking harder. As a final step, you can sedate kids, but it is a lot of effort to do safely, and kinda boring.



                              Also, they can do medical test for something in body's biology that is the source (or consequence) of strength: increased adrenalin, higher muscle density, stronger bones or tendons (to handle super-muscles)



                              "Surpize" tests will not work as population will learn about all of them soon enough.



                              But, Social Enginnering offers easy ways to ensure that people openly reveal their strength.




                              1. Tell your population that enemy countries use their super-strong people as soldiers, so yours needs to defend itself. Make your own super-strong soldiers heroes to the public (like sports stars in US). You do not even have to pay them that much, they might get enough money from product endorsements or simply donations. Can you imagine a teen that does not want that for themselves?


                              2. Even if you lock supers up and experiment on them, tell people that uncontrolled super-strength is dangerous, both to super and those around them. Spread viral videos of accidents involving unexperienced supers. The official PR campaign is that testing is a responsible and caring thing to do; also encourage "if you see something, say something"; what if that super accidentally hurts you, or your g/f?








                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited 3 hours ago

























                              answered 5 hours ago









                              Bald Bear

                              6,8581027




                              6,8581027






















                                  up vote
                                  0
                                  down vote













                                  offer candy to any kid that can lift the barbell. it's not that complicated.



                                  as long as there is no punishment for the supers, there is no disinclination on their, or their parents account, at demonstrating their prowess.



                                  the actual complication comes in interactions between supers with their non-super peer group, since kids are generally mean, selfish, impulsive and just generally nasty.



                                  in which case, the supers may need to be segregated, which then drives the motive to secrecy. that's good drama right there.






                                  share|improve this answer

























                                    up vote
                                    0
                                    down vote













                                    offer candy to any kid that can lift the barbell. it's not that complicated.



                                    as long as there is no punishment for the supers, there is no disinclination on their, or their parents account, at demonstrating their prowess.



                                    the actual complication comes in interactions between supers with their non-super peer group, since kids are generally mean, selfish, impulsive and just generally nasty.



                                    in which case, the supers may need to be segregated, which then drives the motive to secrecy. that's good drama right there.






                                    share|improve this answer























                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote









                                      offer candy to any kid that can lift the barbell. it's not that complicated.



                                      as long as there is no punishment for the supers, there is no disinclination on their, or their parents account, at demonstrating their prowess.



                                      the actual complication comes in interactions between supers with their non-super peer group, since kids are generally mean, selfish, impulsive and just generally nasty.



                                      in which case, the supers may need to be segregated, which then drives the motive to secrecy. that's good drama right there.






                                      share|improve this answer












                                      offer candy to any kid that can lift the barbell. it's not that complicated.



                                      as long as there is no punishment for the supers, there is no disinclination on their, or their parents account, at demonstrating their prowess.



                                      the actual complication comes in interactions between supers with their non-super peer group, since kids are generally mean, selfish, impulsive and just generally nasty.



                                      in which case, the supers may need to be segregated, which then drives the motive to secrecy. that's good drama right there.







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered 3 hours ago









                                      theRiley

                                      1,502114




                                      1,502114






























                                           

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