Activating Evolution

Activating Evolution
The front cover of Chandra Suresh's Activating Evolution
First mentioned:	One Giant Leap
Current status:	in print

Activating Evolution is a book by the late geneticist Chandra Suresh.

Description

The front cover of the book consists of a blue background with the title and the author's name. Prominently featured is the mysterious symbol (which has appeared in various other locations). The back cover portrays a photograph of Dr. Suresh.

Activating Evolution details Dr. Suresh's theories regarding the emergence of humans with extraordinary new genetic abilities, and includes references to several of the abilities which Suresh predicted individuals would evolve to possess, including rapid tissue regeneration, teleportation, telepathy, and levitation.

About

One Giant Leap

Peter Petrelli discovers the book in the library while researching human flight. Peter brings the book to the attention of his brother Nathan while at his campaign headquarters. Peter believes the author "knows what's going on" and wants to find him. Peter gives Nathan the book, but Nathan dismisses Peter's desires to acknowledge their powers.

Chandra's son Mohinder finds and photographs a copy of Activating Evolution in Sylar's apartment in Queens, New York.

Collision

Mohinder tracks down Nathan, who does not listen to the young doctor's warnings about Sylar and the grave danger Nathan might face. Nathan does, however, tell Peter about Dr. Suresh. Peter mistakes the young Dr. Suresh for the elder Dr. Suresh pictured on the back of the book. Peter visits Mohinder at Mohinder's apartment, and the two embark on a short mission to discover Peter's powers.

Seven Minutes to Midnight

In a dream, Chandra expresses to Mohinder how he believes his theories are correct. Mohinder replies it is becoming harder to "cover for him", referring that his theories and research are generating displeasure at the university. Chandra tells Mohinder he'll see who the fool will be.

Homecoming

The day of the Homecoming game, Zach gives Claire a copy of the book that he ordered off the Internet. He tells her there is a section on rapid cellular regeneration. Claire thinks it's a nice gesture of friendship.

In a dream, Mohinder tells Chandra that he happened upon a rough draft of Activating Evolution, and that he had just finished reading the manuscript. Mohinder is promptly chastised by his father for taking the text off his desk. Mohinder expresses an interest in helping Chandra, but Chandra replies that he doesn't want Mohinder to be involved in this. Chandra quotes Darwin and claims that a scientist should have a heart of stone and that Mohinder does not. He tells Mohinder to go home.

Six Months Ago

Chandra meets Gabriel Gray at his apartment for the first time, and gives Gray a copy of the book. Dr. Suresh informs Gray that he could be an evolved human. He mentions some theories from the book — that the brain controls every action, and that if there's a soul, it's in the brain. They also discuss the idea of an "evolutionary imperative", claiming that evolution compels creatures towards certain behaviors.

Later, Brian Davis enters Gray & Sons. Gabriel, referencing a "defect" he has detected in Davis, says, "I can fix it ... It's an evolutionary imperative!" Gabriel is then compelled to bludgeon Davis over the head.

Trivia

• The jacket images for the book prop used in Heroes actually shows two different actors, one in more western style clothing and one in the traditional Indian wardrobe. Please see the Chandra Suresh article for more information.

Gallery

• 
  A copy of the book was found in Sylar's apartment.
• 
  Zach gives Claire Bennet a copy of the book.
• 
  This version of the book (as it appeared in One Giant Leap) features Dr. Suresh as a turbaned man, portrayed by a different actor.
• 
  The two versions of the book portray pictures of different actors.

See Also

• For other uses of Activating Evolution, see evolution (disambig).