The Construct
+10 10 Votes
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By JamCat76
- The Construct
- Created: Nov 22, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
I have no theory firm in my mind, but many, here is but one of my science fiction solutions, and my percieved evidence to back it up. I’m sorry if i’ve replic8ed any ideas already posted, but i’m quite new to the site. As always feedback is most welcome.
What if the island doesn’t really exist? What if it is a construct? A “Skinner box”?
After watching the first season 4 about the 15th or 16th time, i started to puzzle over the eyes opening @ the start of each episode. As well as being a striking image, could it be that they are a clue to the fact that the island is only percieved by the minds eye? What if the island is a construct, as in The Matrix? but unlike The Matrix it is not a prison 4 the mind, but a “Skinner box”, an experiment to test the limitations of the human mind, or even fix a broken one. Could the castaways be coma victims, laid in hospital beds in a hidden laborotary? Could they have been “Lost” in a different way? What if those who die on the island, are cured, released from the “program”, and return to the real world?
Secondly, there are the whispers… On the site Lost Spoilers, there are transcripts of the dialogue featured in them, and although quite mixed up and sometimes nonsensical, it is clear that someone is watching what is going on, even prompting “Benry” during his questioning about the balloon. When Shannon was killed a voice in the whispers said “Hey Sis”. Was Boone there to greet her?
All those who have died on the island, have had a revel8ion about their existence b4 they went. Boone was rid of his unhealthy love 4 Shannon, Shannon in turn found that she could rely on a man who would not leave her. Anna-Lucia realised that she could no longer kill, Libby discovered that she could love again after the loss of her husband, Eko accepted that he had done the best he could, under the circumstances, thereby accepting Yemi’s death was not his fault. Even Charlie had come to terms with his role as a father, his love 4 “Turniphead”, and the fact that family is not always blood rel8ed. Nikki and Paolo realized the error of their ways
When Des turned the failsafe key removing the Swan from the “Big Picture” the construct faultered 4 a few seconds, as it adjusted disrupting the whole islands appearance. Even though the Swan was destroyed, Locke, Eko, and Des remained uninjured by the implosion/explosion. As Desmonds attire was swan hatch issue, it too had vanished along with the swan station, and because the three of them were still plugged into the construct, yet the station was gone, by default they ended up in the jungle.
It seems that many things on the island depend on state of mind…
Could it be that minds that have suffered gr8 trauma, would need a kickstart when entering the construct, such as a plane crash, or a boat hitting the reef as in Desmonds and Danielles case? A construct serves so many plot points and themes, i don’t think i can list them all in one posting…
It would explain Lockes ability to walk. Are the numbers just a common code that appear in the construct to let u know you’re there? Was “Dave” right? Should Hurley have jumped? Is Walts ability to appear where he can’t be, the affect of self awareness within the construct?
Are the Others, volunteers within the construct? They didn’t seem particularly bothered by the sky turning purple. Was their hostile appearance in the first two seasons designed to keep our survivors together and interacting. “Live together, die alone”
Is Smokie a program within the construct, designed to elimin8 negative feelings, or those who no longer belong there?
Does Jacob create the lists, because he is the creator of the construct? Why did Ben not hear Jacob say “Help me”, was it because he walked from Bens coma bed to Lockes? Then spoke.
In summary i think the answer to most of these questions is “probably not.” but it’s one of the many theories buzzing about in my head, and let’s face it, the thing we all love about Lost is that it makes us think, ask questions, big questions. So feel free to tear this one apart, add to it, dismiss it, or tattoo it on your 4head. Until next time, this is JamCat, ever waiting 4 season 4… Take care.
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 | 1733 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.18 | Dave | 4-5-2006 | Hurley | 135 |
Key events
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Locke Can Walk | 289 |
Key locations
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| The Swan station | 2.20, 2.23, 2.14, 2.17, 2.1, 2.2, 1.11, 3.3, 3.8 | 471 |
Similar theories
| Title | Author | Cmnts | Votes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| where is the LOST island!!!!!!! | lostrulz | 4 | 2 | +2 |
+1 from me.I often think something along these lines is going on.Interesting take on the events that happened when the failsafe key was turned.
This is a riff on the ‘in a coma’ theory that’s hung around Lost for ages. I am 99% sure it’s not right (I leave a per cent because, hey, you can never be sure!). I think it was Lindelhof that has stated outright that the Island definitely exists, somewhere in the space-time continuum (his paraphrased words), pretty much expressing the notion that, although there’s plenty of ambiguity in his words, the Island is not a construct.
+1 I really think this is a good theory. I think it would be a little difficult to tie it all together, and there are so many mysteries that are not explained by the Skinner Box, ie. the tubes to nowhere, Adam and Eve, the Stones, Jack awakening away from the crash site, the flashbacks, etc, but overall this is a really good theory that may explain some of the Island’s aspects. If this is what is going on, I wonder if boarding the plane was real or just part of the box, so to speak.
“love 4 Shannon” “waiting 4 season “ “revel8ion”
Did you see what he did there? He substituted numbers for letters! This is the coolest, cleverest thing I have ever seen. I don’t even need to read the post to know that anybody who would do something SO insanely cutesie must be correct!
By my count the poster saved himself about 14 keystrokes! Imagine the time savings! Sure, it makes him look like a 15 year old girl IM’ing her friends, but, MY GOD! 14 keystrokes! And then add in the unutterably high coolness FACTOR!
Somebody catch me; I’m going to faint!
(BTW, plus one, just for not being a troll)
+1. Actually Quarantine he substitued for THE numbers, i just wanna see him work 23 in.
Jamcat, Very nice theory, and it is well written. I like your idea of “the skinner box”, and also considered this as a possibility earlier on in the show. But, I now think there is more to the story, than just that particular aspect. However, the use of “the skinner box effect” definitely fits into the story line.
Nice work! +1
JamCat : I enjoyed reading this very much. Just 4 you, I am R8ing it a very ingenious post. I have probably watched “Through the Looking Glass” at least 15 or 16 times looking for any new clues? Did you just happen to update on the 23rd or,was it 42itous. +1 ; - )
katesawjack: Although I have an obvious dislike for the childish writing, I have to admit that “42itous” is actually pretty darned clever. And funny. Post it somewhere by itself so i can plus one it!
Quarantine. Grace in defeat is rare so you can have your own +1 for that. As long as you don’t misuse it!
JamCat I think there are two theories I float between re: the bigger picture and this is certainly one I keep coming back to. There are so many reasons why this could be true. +1 from me to add to the collection you are building yourself :-)
@ KSJ 42itous was ace. TM it before those other buggers get to it!
JamCat, very cleverly written! +1
KSJ, 42itous was genious!
42itous is G-nious. Kudos, Kate.
I’m digging this. +1
Quarantine - doood, chill, it’s not an english grammar class.
Wow, I thought this was a very interesting theory, a bit far fetched, but plausible. Kudos!