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Originally posted by: Ceric
Also MaryJane, you could arrange you molecules in such a way to make yourself have magnetic poles you could nullify the effects of gravity by pushing off of the earths magnetic field. Something else to think about.
You're forcing my hand here.
You can come up with reasons HOW a being could fly like Nathan does. (In fact, in some cases it's not even flying...there was that one time Peter copied his abilities and was standing in the air.) Instant launching, propulsion, gravity negation, yadda yadda. But if you really want to explain the technical stuff behind it, it's still not realistic. You could have all these flying-friendly features in every cell, but could there be so much there that wouldn't've been noticed by a doctor at some point in Nathan's life? And that he'd have perfect control of his powers, since he obviously doesn't make a practice of flying? Even birds need to learn how to fly.
I don't think I believe in evolution (or I'm not supposed to) but from what I understand, the evolution of eyeballs in animals is like this:
1. over several generations, some skin cells on the "face" of an animal develop sensitivity to light.
2. over several more generations, the skins cells fold in, concave/dimple-like, so that the cavity of light-sensitive cells can determine the direction of the light.
3. over several more generations, the cavity becomes deeper, so they can more easily tell where the light is coming from, and then eventually the cavity of the light-sensitive cells become a spherical opening.
4. over several more generations, the surface of the light-sensitive cells develop a sort of mucus that focuses the light, so they can see the light more sharply.
5. and then after several more generations, the mucus layer develops into a vitreous layer, with a ball that gives muscular control over the visual focus, rods and cones to see definition and colour, an eyelid to cover it, eyelashes to keep the dust out, etc.
It's not like some slug-thing gave birth to a slug-thing with developed eyeballs all of the sudden.
Evolution is mutation over MANY generations. Whether specialized or accidental, it has to do with survival of those that have an advantage to survive long enough to breed and pass on their differences. That's how I understand this theory.
As I said, you might explain how someone flies. But genetically, how did they get such a sudden difference in cells that no one noticed? The only way Nathan would be able to fly is if several generations of people before him were likely to be killed if they didn't take to the air. Someone would jump higher than their father, or negate gravity enough for some longer "air time", until finally someone like Nathan is born who can suspend themselves in the air and rocket away.
Ignoring the time component involved (he could've had his cells altered if you don't buy Dr. Suresh's "cusp of evolution" idea), I think it's still ridiculous that he'd have the control. And you'd think after flying away from Mr. Bennet that he'd be exhausted, as I'm sure the energy he requires wouldn't exactly be minor. And yet, he's chipper at that moment, from the exhileration of flying that should've tired him out. There are so many flaws in realism, is it worth trying to explain?
Realistic "powers" by evolution would be minor enhancements of things we can already do, so minor it's unlikely to be noticed as being inhuman. Higher jumping, better vision (perhaps night vision), better hearing, faster (but not extremely quick) healing, quicker thinking, stronger and/or faster muscles, more stamina, etc.
I'd really like to hear someone's explanation for the more ludicrous powers like Hiro's time altering and teleportation ability. It's a wonder that when he goes back six months that he doesn't miss the planet entirely, as the galaxy is constantly in motion, and the galaxy itself moves. You're telling me that genetically, you can distort the space/time continuum, AND also have enough control that your cells don't scatter or tear apart and that you don't end up out in space or physically in something that was there before? All of the sudden how he takes his clothes with him but not a chunk of his surroundings such as the floor are the least of our concerns.
You see my point now? HOW the powers might be possible is not the focus of this show.
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