The Benipulators vs. The Benfallibles (Not A Theory)
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By AngeloComet
- The Benipulators vs. The Benfallibles (Not A Theory)
- Created: Jan 9, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 13, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
Are you a Benipulator or a Benfallible?
— AngeloComet
Whether you know it or not, there are two factions around these parts. There are those that think Ben is a master manipulator supreme and has it all worked out. I shall call this group Benipulators. And there are those that believe Ben cannot possibly be as arch a mastermind as he portrays and that his plans are fallible. I shall call this group Benfallibles.
So you’re reading this, you’ve got to ask yourself: Are you a Benipulator (you believe all that happens to do with Ben does so according to his intention), or a Benfallible (that clever as he is, Ben’s schemes can’t see all ends)? Maybe you figure you’re a little bit of both, but I’m willing to bet you lean towards one more than the other. So, you’ve decided? Benipulator or Benfallible. You’ve tied your colours to a particular mast? Excellent. You’re going to be needed to rally to your cause.
Me personally, I was a longstanding Benfallible. I still might be. But I’m open-minded enough to be swayed. And so the only way I can think to work this out for myself is to argue it out with myself. And that’s exactly what I am going to do. I’m going to argue both sides as convincingly and as impartially as I can and, once done, see what I think.
If you feel strongly about which side you’re on and wish to fight for the cause, obviously you can state your cases for in the Comments. Indeed, that’s what I am hoping for. Let’s have a good clean fight. . .
The argument for the Benipulators can be found here:
http://lost-theories.com/theories/2008/jan/09/argument-benipulators/
The argument for the Benfallibles can be found here:
http://lost-theories.com/theories/2008/jan/09/argument-benfallibles/
Please be aware that I will argue each case with an absolute certainty the alternative argument is incorrect. If you find yourself reading one of the arguments and getting annoyed it probably means you belong to the camp that supports the other argument. But I still haven’t made up my mind about which point of view I align with, and I greatly look forward to some compelling comments that can clinch it either way.
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 | 1714 |
Have not read your arguments for either case as you havent posted them yet, but i recently read an article/theory suggesting that Ben could be burdened with the same flashes gift/curse as Des and I like the idea.
Apart from that I think I would be a Benfallible. +1 for the title alone:)
Hmm AC you get to remain impartial while we have to pin colours to masts!
So be it +1
LJ, how can I make two convincing arguments whilst secreting notions of what I actually think is right. That would not be fair!
Besides, I wrote it all and did the hard work. I have to get some benefits!
And WTF, I read the same thing about Ben and the flashes idea. It was what got me started on seriously taking on board anti-Benfallible concepts!
I’m personally a Benipulator myself and I’ve just read both your arguments with an open mind. Congrats on the excellent writing and great arguments +1
Now my opinion on the matter (from a Benipulator point of view) is that Ben is a mastermind, but not in a God like way. Every man is fallable as you say. And I believe the most interesting Bencharacter would be just as you stated “Ben as a flawed genius”. Like Victor Frankenstein. The Island being Ben’s idea and creation. His Frankenstein. Victor intended the creature to be beautiful. However, when it awakens he is disgusted. Will Ben have a moment of enlightenment?
Think of Ben’s masterplan as a jigsaw done backwards. He can see the big picture of what needs to be done but he is not God. He cannot see all the little pieces that make up his Jigsaw. It is obvious that a lot of luck was involved in how Ben has made it to this stage. “Don’t confuse luck with faith”.
As a Benipulator your always secretly hoping his plan will work out the way he has forseen, but at the moment Ben is the bad guy. We all know the bad guy never wins so I am hoping we see a change in the way he is percieved in relation to the other characters.
From a writing aspect I would love to see Ben outed as a slightly warped puppet for a higher person/being….(Jacob). Ben as a used and abused character with none of his own will or beliefs left, finally cracking under the pressure. If Ben lost the plot altogether it would be the most interesting character disintigration. From mastermind to emotional wreck. This man has a lot of stuff bottled up.
Remember….
“Free will is an illusion. People always choose the perceived path of greatest pleasure.”
Kat, I did read yours and other’s comments; it’s the head-turning opinions of people like you that make me sometimes reverse my original opinions! (Can’t believe I’m getting hauled over the coals for questioning myself!). And whilst these ‘factions’ were created with the likes of Quarantine, myself and others in mind, it was actually really sparked with the good intention of trying to balance both extremes - if not for other people then definitely for myself.
But, as I have conceded, they are extreme. Hence my caveat of: “Please be aware that I will argue each case with an absolute certainty the alternative argument is incorrect.” Extemism is rarely rational, but I thought it needed to be explicit to avoid middle-ground.
I’ll be honest, I’m a little bemused by how strongly people have reacted against this. I think some good clarification about where Ben’s potential can be considered absurd, and where it can be considered legitimate are viable discussion pieces and I thought this was a fun way of going about it.
(Shrug.)
Kat, Fair enough. Harmony is restored.
(And you’re right about the show obscuring Ben’s actiion. Therein, as they say, lies the rub.)
AC, All human beings are fallible! But, I am definitely in the “Benipulator” camp, and NOT budging on that one, unless otherwise proved to me by the show itself!
i’m 50/50 on the subject, i think in the grand scheme of things ben has forseen future events like desmond, and is trying to manipulate the present fot the greater good of the island.
AC i do not think there are two factions on the subject here, i think your responding more to the argument of ben manipulating Jack to ring the frieghter. I for one disagree on ben manipulating jack to call the frieghter due to the fact with or without ben nagging him, jack was still gonna call the frieghter. Therefore me being 50/50 and not falling to any of these two catogories.
plus 1 for the novel you wrote on the last three theories any how