Originally posted by: lordjedi
Uh, they weren't senile. They're psychics, just like Akira and Tetsuo. You're right that they weren't able to go as far in the psychic process, but they were still psychics.

I meant senile as "of or belonging to old age or aged persons."

Otherwise, I think Tetsuo liked using his powers too much. Even when he lost conscious control, I'm guessing the desires and fears of his psyche still perpetuated the process in an unconscious form. He basically wanted to be omnipotent. I don't think it was a thing like the dark side of the force or anything. I could be wrong as you say, but that makes more sense to me at the moment. Keep in mind I haven't seen the movie more than once. Though, I think I own it so perhaps I'll get it out and watch it again.