Theory:Abilities in general

Theories about Abilities in general

The following fan theories are about Abilities in general.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
All evolved human powers are manifestations or variations on the classic psychic abilities of telepathy, telekinesis, and extra-sensory perception (ESP).	According to Chandra Suresh, all powers appear to originate from a particular mutation in the brain. (Six Months Ago)	• If true, enhanced strength and regeneration are manifestations of telekinesis; mental manipulation is a variant of telepathy; precognition and electronic data transception are types of ESP, etc. + Sylar, using his ability to discern how things work, identifies the brain as the source of powers, and takes powers after opening up the brain, including super-hearing which would normally be associated with the ears. When Claire's brain is damaged, she is unable to regenerate until the stick is removed. - The Haitian can only block mental powers, therefore, some powers must be physical. - This does not account for powers such as induced radioactivity, pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, or other forms of energy manipulation. :+ Pyrokinesis and cryokinesis both basically just involve changes in temperature, which is essentially a function of the speed at which molecules vibrate, which could conceivably be controlled by telekinesis. Similarly, Ted's induced radioactivity could come about by telekinetically inducing photons to vibrate at different frequencies, and thus producing gamma radiation (as he has also shown the ability to produce a non-damaging EMP blast).
All evolved humans have the same power, they just manifest different aspects of it.	None.	+ Both Peter Petrelli and Sylar are able to acquire seemingly any power. The underlying core power may be a special connection with a different level of reality, with the ability to both sense more and to manipulate reality under the control of the mind. - A counter to this is that when Sylar is jailed, it is suggested he has DNA for telekinesis. This contradicts Chandra Suresh's belief that they all share the same mutation. It could be that the same genetic mutation can manifest itself in different ways for different people. • This could be a scripting mistake, as Sylar acquired his powers from Brian Davis. On the other hand, Mr Bennet states that Sylar has been altering his DNA, raising the question of why his other acquired powers did not show themselves in his DNA. - Mohinder tells Nathan that Peter's specific DNA allows him to mimic the abilities of others. His choice of words -- "specific" -- indicates that Peter's DNA is unique, and has a different power from everyone else. (The Fix) :• It could be that the genes are at first ambiguous and capable of manifesting into anything, before the power actually manifesting causes them to become "specific". (See two theories down, especially the notes concerning Nathan and D.L.)
Natural-born super powers are a result of evolution and adaptation being influenced by the subconscious whims of the subject. In short, a person gets an ability that helps them in their day-to-day life, based on what they (either consciously or subconsciously) think they need.	None.	+ Peter's empathy would be useful in an occupation (nurse) that depends on feeling and healing the suffering of others. + Nathan first manifested his flight power when he needed a fast escape. + Matt's telepathy could be useful for a cop and a man who struggles in knowing what he should say to people. + Niki vocally expressed her desire to be two people and her worries about being strong enough for her son several times. + D.L.'s ability to phase through matter would certainly be useful for a man in prison seeking escape. + Sylar's ability to understand how complex systems work would be a boon to any watchmaker. + Additionally, Tim Kring has stated in interviews that the character's powers are reflections of their personalities. + Charlie was a waitress and her powers of memorization would greatly assist her in taking and delivering orders. + Hiro's power first manifested when he was trying to 'will' the train into not arriving, and he did succeed in making it late.
The powers are designed by a higher power.	None.	+ There are many references to religion in Heroes. For example, many of the characters are named after biblical figures. Also, Chandra Suresh's door is number 613, a holy number in the old testament. + The creators of the show have also hinted that there's a supernatural element to the character's powers. Tim Kring studied divinity in school, and Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite have commented on the preponderance of Biblical names. - However, religious symbolism doesn't necessarily imply a religious cause.
All powers also have compensatory secondary abilities that make their use survivable and usable.	Meredith is unharmed by her own fire. (Distractions) Ted is unharmed by his own radiation. (Company Man) Nathan seems immune to the air pressure and wind sheer effects of supersonic flight. (Hiros)	+ Claude's invisibility would also render him blind, as it would make his retinas unable to refract light. He possesses some kind of compensatory mechanism in order to see, which is what allows Peter to see him. + Hiro and apparently Peter negate the effects of the lack of molecular motion which would result from suspending time which would theoretically cause absolute zero temperatures. + This would also explain why changes can be seen when time is frozen. This is because if time stopped, the motion of the light waves would also stop, meaning everything would look the same even if it was different, simply because the light would not yet have been able to reflect off of the objects under the new circumstances.
Twins have the same or similar powers.	None.	+ Twins (in popular culture) are closely connected both genetically and emotionally and generally share similar traits, even when separated. • As we have yet to see any twins in the series, this remains untested.
Powers are the result of a virus.	None.	+ Viruses alter DNA, and transposons literally can cut and paste genetic material and have had a large impact on evolution. 40% of human evolution is the result of transposons. The long incubation time in some viruses could mean mutation caused in such a way wouldn't manifest until late in life in the first generation, and late childhood/early teens in the second generation. + Many virus have a single strand DNA/RNA code. And had been stated that the "Symbol" represent a single RNA helix. + A virus could preferredly infect brain cells, and that is why Sylar need to "eat" them. - There has so far been no suggestion that abilities can be transferred to another through infection. Nor has it been confirmed that Sylar eats brains (and, at the risk of sounding unencyclopaedic, it would be really dumb if he did).
Abilities are passed on maternally.	None.	+ Nathan's two sons have yet to show any abilities, yet Micah and Claire, both children of mothers with abilities, have. - It could be simply that somebody is more likely to demonstrate abilities if both parents are powered than if just one is. - Molly's father was apparently her only powered parent, yet she manifested her power just as early as Micah, who had two.
Animals may develop powers as well.	None.	+ In this show, all around the world, humans are evolving and developing extraordinary abilities. It wouldn't seem much of stretch to say that other species are not part of this evolutionary process. - According to evolutionary theory, a new feature originates in a particular branch of the evolutionary "tree" and spreads only in descendants of its originators; it does not jump from one branch of the tree to another. Since superhuman powers originated in the human branch of the tree, it should not appear in others. - Evolutionarily speaking, animals should have developed similar abilities. Convergent evolution is the reason why the eye has evolved over seven times independently. If these abilities are possible, they're also possible for animals. However, many of these abilities would probably cause the animals that possesses them to die before they reached sexual maturity, such as those of Sprague or Claire's mother. Other abilities, like technopathy and Hana Gitelman's ability, would have been completely useless, and therefore there would have experienced no selective pressure in the gene pool.
Ando, Simone, Charles Deveaux and Mohinder all have undiscovered powers.	None.	+ Everyone in Peter's dreams are already pre-existing known empowered individuals, with the particular exception -- thus far -- of these three. - Simone has died, but it is possible she had an undiscovered power. - Tim Kring has stated that neither Ando nor Mohinder will ever get a power.
No two living evolved humans have the same power.	The only evolved humans to have more than one power are Peter and Sylar but technically they have other evolved humans' powers.	+ So far, no two characters have shown the same power. + Chandra's research may refer to different variations of the same power, not the exact same one. - When Claude realizes that Peter Petrelli is capable of mimicking his power, he responds "Fantastic! One of those"; this implies that there are more evolved humans like Peter. - Felipe Acerra, on Chandra Suresh's list, has the ability to phase like DL. Byron Bevington, also on Suresh's list shares the power of precognition with Isaac.
The gene which controls the development of a power within an individual's brain is a recessive one. Therefore, any child of two powered parents should have powers, as well.	None.	+ Niki and D.L. both have powers, and their son Micah has his own power. + Both Meredith, Claire's mother and Nathan, Claire's father, have powers, thus Claire has a power of her own. + The two sons that Nathan has had with Heidi, his wheelchair-bound wife (who is not an evolved human), do not possess any known powers. + Nathan and Peter parents have been referred to as being super human.