In Heroes, what does Sylar do with the brains to steal other peoples powers?

Answer 1

Although it has not been shown (too graphic) it is my belief that he does eat the brains, at least a part of them. This concept has been used in comics and s/f before. There is something called ‘memory RNA’ in which our memories are supposedly encoded. This was discovered when scientist studying planarian worms trained a worm to run through a maze, then cut it up and fed it to other worms who had never seen the maze before. After the digested the first worm, they also know how to run through the maze without making any wrong turns.

When they revamped Swamp Thing (many years ago) they reworked the origin so that he was not a man who had been turned into a plant. Rather, he was a plant that thought it had been a man, because it had the memories of the man who was killed, because the plant absorbed the man’s memory RNA through its roots.

In contrast to what Marvin and the other fellow said, you can’t tell if or how the brain is functioning by looking at it—for that matter, you can’t tell whether it is alive by looking at it! So I really don’t think Sylar is able to learn new powers by reading or scanning the brain. The trauma of having the skull opened under, shall we say, unsanitary conditions, would prevent most people from being able to concentrate on using the power, if that is what is needed for Sylar to duplicate it.

I suspect that most of the control functions for the powers are located in a part of the brain that most people do not use, or one that has been developed more than in normal people. He must open the skull to identify that portion of the brain and consume a portion of the brain to get the RNA.

23 FEB 07, 0424 hrs, GMT.

Answer 2

i think of that everybody is on the excellent suited direction. It hasn't been stated precisely how, yet he cuts their skulls open. that is a few thing to do with their brains. After observing final night's episode i might agree. Sylar stated to Mohinder "provide me the checklist so i can sink my tooth in." it rather is probably no longer good, even nonetheless it became some thing to that effect.

Answer 3

I think he uses his power to "observe" they way their brains work in the same way he used to be able to tell what was wrong with watch and clock gears. And that's how he duplicates their powers.

Answer 4

I agree with Fire god, he analyses them to see what it is that gives them their unique powers then he fixes his own brain internally to duplicate the powers.

nasty geezer. He may have made a bad choice with Dale though.

Answer 5

I assume he eats them. But what is that crazy thing on the back of his head? That may have something to do with it.

Answer 6

EATS THEM.