The Valenzetti Equation, Course Correction, and Jack’s Fatefull Mistake
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By WhiteRbbtad
- The Valenzetti Equation, Course Correction, and Jack’s Fatefull Mistake
- Created: Jun 4, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flags: Debunked
- Flag this theory:
My theory is that Dharma succeeded, at least temporarily (be this time travel, magnets, or whatever), to solve the Valenzetti equation. Thus, the universe has now course corrected itself to ensure that mankind arrives at its predicted destruction. In this case, the Losties are that course correction.
— WhiteRbbtad
In Flashes Before Your Eyes, Desmond learns form the creepy cosmic jewelry store lady that everything is preordained to arrive at a specific outcome or fate. The road to this outcome is not yet set (but the outcome most definitely is). Thus, you can try all you want to change fate but whatever changes you make will eventually be course corrected to the final outcome. She discusses this concept by telling Desmond that something is going to fall on the guy in front of them on the street. Desmond demands they warn him, but she says there is no point because if they save him he’ll just be killed in some other fashion.
Desmond puts this to the test when he receives the premonition about Charlie. He warns Charlie that he’s going to die. Charlie averts his death. Days later, the universe course corrects itself and he’s in danger again. Try as he might, the universe will get him eventually. This is the realization Desmond eventually arrives at and Charlie is forced to accept.
As we all know, the Valenzetti equation is an equation created that predicts the exact end date of mankind. The dharma initiative knows when this is going to happen but was designed to study this equation and alter it in order to save mankind from its inevitable fate.
Sound familiar?
My theory is that Dharma succeeded, at least temporarily (be this time travel, magnets, or whatever), to solve the Valenzetti equation. Thus, the universe has now course corrected itself to ensure that mankind arrives at its predicted destruction. In this case, the Losties are that course correction.
This explains all of the bizarre coincidences, interconnectedness, and interrelated character motivation. Everything, every choice, and every influencing factor had to come together in order for things to be course corrected. Once Jack made that phone call, things went back on course towards destruction.
To what extent the Others are aware of this, I do not know. However it does fit nicely into the whole “We are the good guys” and “Jack you don’t understand what a terrible mistake you’re making…if you make that phone call, this is the beginning of the end.”
My guess, is that the next three seasons will be about coming to this realization, challenging fate (with the help of spiritual forces), and trying to fix it.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben | Benjamin Linus | 3.20, 4.9, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1712 |
| Charlie | Charlie Pace | 1.7, 1.2, 2.10, 1.24, 3.21 | 403 |
| Desmond | Desmond David Hume | 2.23, 3.17, 4.5 | 851 |
| Jack | Jack Shephard | 1.1, 1.5, 2.11, 1.11, 1.16, 1.20, 3.9, 3.22, 3.1, 4.10, 4.12, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1451 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.22 | Through The Looking Glass | 5-23-2007 | Jack | 1251 |
| 3.8 | Flashes Before Your Eyes | 2-14-2007 | Penny | 233 |
I’m not sure what the consequences are yet of Jack’s call, but you echo some of my own ideas in posts like “B.F. Skinner and Carl Jung”, “Psychic Lens”, “Special Gifts”, “The Question of Human Potential”, “Shades of Psychic Ability”, and, most specifically, “A ‘Best Guess’ as of 3.10”.
So… I guess that means I think you’re barking up the right tree. :-) But your ideas are more up-to-date and in one post! :-D
Good thoughtful theory. Now if you can explain the “smoke” entity, the death of pregnant women on the island, and the reason for the Dharma purge in the context of your hypothesis then you’re on your way towards solving the plot!
Oh, I forgot about the four-toed statue foot!
By the time Lost has completed its run there will be something like 114 hours of information. Not counting however many hours are in the Lost expereince and ancillary texts (Bad Twin). This is one of the most complicated pieces of narrative storytelling I’ve ever seen. It takes into accounts decades of time (possibly thousands of years if we want to include the Island’s ruins), dozens of main characters, and complicated thematics about some of the weightiest issues man has grappled with (fate, society, the nature of man, science vs. faith).
Basicaly what I’m saying is, It’s not all going to happen in one post. Unless, I suppose, one of us officially turns into Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons.
However, all good points. I have a previous post about some of those topics. Can they all be harmoniously worked into this theory? Who knows. The problem (or possibly great thing) with Lost, is it’s like assembling a thousand piece jig saw puzzle without having the picture on the box to know what it’s supposed to look like.
“The problem (or possibly great thing) with Lost, is it’s like assembling a thousand piece jig saw puzzle without having the picture on the box to know what it’s supposed to look like.”
That’s a spiffy analogy and the question on many people’s mind is; can the writers weave it all together at the end?!
I think they will… but it won’t be in a way that satisfies everyone.
I think your core idea—that the Losties are the course correction is very clearly correct. It feels like one side of the rubik’s cube is all the same color :)
One thing I don’t understand—Dharma is trying to prevent armageddon and the Others are also trying to prevent armaggedon—then why did the Others commit the purge, and who is it that’s in charge of Naomi’s boat?
Jazprof: I offer one vision of these events in my post My Attempt to Explain Dharma, Hanso, Quarantine, Desmond, Widmore, Mikhail, and Food Drops!.
WhiteRRtad: Thank you! This is such an elegant solution to their narrative mess/puzzle. Your prediction has got to be right on! I would be satisified if it ended like this.
If the arrival of our Losties is the course-correction, then that means their presence on the island will bring about the end-of-the-world. But if this is true why doesn’t Ben/Others either a) kill off the Losties (since they were perfectly willing to murder the Dharma folks this should clearly be an option), or b) just let them get off the island? Why was it necessary to destroy Michael’s boat and kidnap Walt? Your theory seems to run counter to the history of actions taken by the Others.
The greater motive of Ben/Others seems to be to keep the Losties ON the island, therefore they are more likely not the “course-correction”.
Furthermore, if the Losties’ presence on the island is the “course-correction” that will bring about the end of the world, why would Jack want to go back? Because he WANTS the world to end??? And even if he did want the world to end, why would he 1) be so distraught at someone’s death, 2) be even slightly hesitant at killing himself, or 3) be so concerned with trying to save the woman from the car crash. These things are contrary to someone trying to bring about the end-of-mankind.
This theory doesn’t hold up in my opinion.
Very nice work!
This theory makes a lot of sense to me and is definitely plausible. Thank-you for putting it out there. Keep the “hits” coming!!!
what if it’s the other way around? what if jack saved the world by pressing th buton, but made his life miserable as a result?
nice theory. I guess I still don’t understand how the “Losties” are part of stopping the “end of mankind.” Are you saying that they have gone back in time and are now changing their courses, which will in turn change the course of the world?
ahhh I love Lost, its so confusing!
yeah +1
WhiteRbbtad: what is the actual event that cause the course correction? Jack making the phone call or Desmond turning the key? Or some other event?
Very interesting idea and it’s starting to make some sense. Locke destroyed the hatch that was hiding the island which forced Desmond to turn the key which allowed people to zero in on the location. Now Jack has radioed for help bringing people directly to the island. If keeping the island out of sight (or possibly out of space and current time) is a key to saving mankind, then having the plane crash there definitely made an impact (pun intended!) on changing things.
To add to Blacksphere’s list of items that need explaining - Adam & Eve in the cave with the black & white stones and, of course, Jacob.
I have issue with defining what “course correcting” means. Ms. Hawking (the antique store lady) explains to Des that his future is to not buy the ring, break Penny’s heart, end up on an island and push the button that saves the world before turing the key. He can try to deny it or alter events but the universe has a way of “course correcting” itself. It is his path and he is supposed to go to the island. Des ends up buying the ring but still ends up breaking Penny’s heart and eventually fulfilling Ms. Hawking’s prophecy. We assume the course correction took place when he looks at the picture of the two of them and decides to break up with Penny. What we don’t know is - did Des choose to break up because of the knowledge of the prophecy or was it the fates guiding him back on his path (i.e. his knowledge had no impact over his decision)? Also, doesn’t Ms. Hawkings’s telling Des the prophecy seem to contradict her course correction comment? She acts like he needs to make sure these events occur but then says he’ll end up on his path regardless. There doesn’t appear to be a need to consciously follow the path if the universe will course correct anyway if he strays (i.e. Des goes into the Army instead of trying to find the island on which he’s supposed to push a button that saves the world).
And regarding Charlie, Des delays Charlie’s death until Charlie takes out the jamming signal, Charlie’s supposed act of redemption. Was that Charlie’s eventual path and correct final destination as predetermined by the universe? If Ms. Hawking would have told Charlie his prophecy, would she have said that he’d go to an island and shut off the jamming signal which leads to the destruction of the world?
I think Des’ interactions with Ms. Hawking were only visions, and the reason the vision continued on to him dumping Penny was so he could finally submit to and believe that what Hawking told him was true. His belief eventually guides Charlie to agree to go down to the LG station so he could enter the musician’s code and bring the freighter to the island.
Nice theory! +1
just another great theory i have found in the debunked pile +1
Why are the richest theories in the Debunked pile????
Rebellion is afoot
Good job man, but some comments seem to add even more questions then before….. Aahhhhh, like a cold beer, Lost is suuuch refreshing television! I wish they’d make it like the Twilight Zone and just go on and on and on, this stuff is great :-D