Odette. My understanding is that we will be told what the Island is. I suspect it is something abstract. Could be something that actually influences the behaviour of humanity depending on how dominant Smokey is on the Island. There may also be an allegorical explanation. It may be a representation of our subconcious, with good and evil battling to determine how we behave. This would also link to why the Island is difficult to find – it is our subconcious. Another supportive piece of evidence for this are all the links to Alice in Wonderland which is all about the essence of ‘reality’.

I like your scenario around why Jacob is with MIB on the Island.

With respect to “consciousness”, this is a human term and as such is in my opinion just another term that we try to use to separate us from other species and to make us feel special. There is no doubt in my mind that all primates exhibit such a concept of “consciousness” but at different levels and in the end it’s just the neurotransmitters firing in the brain. I’m not a “neuroscientist” so it does not make much sense arguing the issue with you on an scientific academia basis. I’m surprised that in your field that such a concept is not globally accepted. Throughout history humans have invented concepts because we could not explain them or because we thought we were special. But then again, I guess that’s what LOST is all about.

Username. It can not categorically be stated that humans are no different from other forms of life. My other life is as a neuroscientist, and I can tell you that there is no generally accepted view on consciousness. We certainly cannot completely explain it by neurotransmitter firing in the brain. With regard to Jacob/MIB, I agree that there is something else. They may well have been brothers. Is it possible they were both from Egypt, and it is MIB who somehow mutated? into the Smoke Monster. Maybe he came into contact with this primordial evil entity? He was banished to the Island, and Jacob (as his brother) agreed to keep watch over him?

Joshcgs. I don’t think Jacob made Smokey, but it is possible he arose on the Island – not sure how that would explain Smokey’s desire to go home!

In the S5 finale they sat down together, Jacob offered him food, he said he had EATEN! MIB even said that has experienced love.

I think whatever happened to MIB that made him so evil & smokey happened on that island at the hand of Jacob – or possibly a 3rd party.

Scientifically thought is not necessarily energy. In actuality thought is just a neurological phenomena as produced by our brains/neurons. There is nothing special about human verses animal or plant life, it’s just that are brains are wired more complicated.

I’m still holding on to Smokey being Jacob’s brother and both are/were human as MIB so eloquently put it. Matter of fact, we have seen it with our own eyes in Season 5 finale. Both Jacob and MIB had human form.

However, is it correctly understood that according to your theory, Smokey only represents a finite amount of evil – not all evil in the world? I suppose so, since there has been evil going on in the outside world ever since Smokey was supposedly trapped on the Island by the Egyptians.

So what will happen if Smokey escapes? Exactly how much more evil will the rest of the world become? Will he bring the infection to the outside world?

Chiefof16 – When Hurley appeared in the alt timeline to help Locke, he was dressed in black, and I wondered if he was now the MIB, but a good version. He just sad a sort of otherworldliness to him. Not sure I think that anymore, but it might be something to think about!!