The Island of Finite Souls – theory and questions!
After reading through many theories and questions on this site, I have made some connections and pieced together my partially unified theory (apologies if this has been addressed previously or elsewhere). Is it possible that there is a limit to the number of living beings that can inhabit the island at one time? Without labelling this concept trivially, it may best be visualized as a limited number of “island souls” – or like the daemons as conceptualized in the Golden Compass. If there is a finite number or pattern to this (wait – did I just say something like “number pattern”?!), it could help exp[lain many things, though I don’t yet see where the original determination of the number would have come from.
The most obvious example to me would be the purge of Dharma people followed by the arrival of the Flight 815 people – did the Dharma people need to die to make room for the “Losties”? Does this also explain the problems on the island with having babies (did someone die right before Aaron was born?)? There was a post about the boars looking for bodies right after the 815 crash – were these souls that wanted to go back to human form? Does this also explain why Locke can walk (i.e. he died, and was possessed or resurrected by another soul?)? In my theory, the soul of the individual who dies is intertwined somehow with the soul that takes over, and potentially some of the other “beings” seen or sensed on the island are those looking for new bodies or “vehicles” to inhabit. There are likely some rules to this process, which may also explain the way things have unfolded.
This would explain to some degree the conversation between MIB and Jacob in which they seem to refer to the ongoing inhabitants of the island as almost some kind of experiment. As each iteration of new inhabitants mix themselves with the souls on the island (adding various mixtures of experience, ethics, intelligence, etc.), the entities interact in ever-changing and unique ways (some tending to lean to the darker side over time, some to the lighter – one of which is Jacob’s side and the other the MIB’s).
With this in mind, and given that we do not know the rules of engagement yet, I am thinking that the loophole has something to do with the finite nature of the souls in this theory, and the various ways it can be manipulated. Do The Numbers come into this somehow (Number of generations or iterations of souls?)? Also, are certain individuals able to keep their position for some reason or do things to cement their position? Is there chicken-and-the-egg issue with the death of one and bringing of another (can you kill someone, have that create a void, and have the next entity drawn in)? Do Jacob and MIB need a certain person or soul to die in order for them to be able to do what they want to do (whatever that may be)? This could help to explain some of the seemingly fated deaths and some of the otherwise inexplicable ones (red shirts go down to make room for someone more important). Those closer to a “state of grace” as a result of having more or different iterations of themselves may be the ones who have more power (to leave and come back, etc.), and the battle between Jacob and MIB may be one ruled by who has more fully evolved beings on their side. The ultimate goal (whether it be to get off the island, control the island, or rule the world) is still unknown, and the scope of that will be one of the critical elements of the conclusion of the story!
More questions than answers, I know, but I feel like I’m on the edge of identifying a unified pattern that could link many things together. Or, maybe I’m totally on a senseless tangent!
Good stuff, Halapeno? This would explain a lot if it were to be true…
One big thing that it may explain is the 815 crash. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that all those people survived such a crash (if any at all should have!). And why some did not. In the 1st Season, Locke seems to have an infinity with the Island, and although Jack’s persona is to save every possible person he could in the world, it seems a bit odd that he would be that focused and determined after such a horrific crash and all the aftermath… regardless of what type of personality he may have, I still question his outright unrelenting fortitude – I’d think he would be more in shock!
To answer your question about Aaron – I always felt that Boone dying at almost the same exact time was a little to quincidental…
This may also tie in with the fact that Richard (1973 version) wanted not only to know where the bodies were buried (that Sawyer & Juliet killed) but also wanted, what’s her faces husband’s body as well…
Maybe the Freighter people may have been replacements for the Other’s that were killed on the beach by Hurley and the gang…
Lets see if anyone else has any thoughts…
YES. ive thought something like this all along. not all your theory, but a sort of limit of people on the island. perhaps there is an equilibrium that the number goes up and down from…because dharma constantly bringing in recruits muddles this theory up a bit. but not only killing people, but not allowing people to leave…like desmond returning.
and when the freighter people come, the 06 gets to leave. there is weird stuff going on indeed.
I guess Ben and the Others are not aware of this limit anyway, because then I guess they wouldn’t have brought a fertility doctor (Juliet) to the island.
Halapeno, thanks for presenting an extremely well written and well laid out theory!
I definitely think you are onto something, in terms of the numbers of people on both sides. I liken this to a ‘balancing’ of forces that are required.
The forces being light vs dark.
Nice work!
As far as who knows or undertsands the limitations created or existing on the Island (i.e. why they would try bringing a fertility doctor — who BTW was not sucessful as far as we know), this may be part of the trial and error process whereby some inhabitants have learned how the “system” works. On another angle, it does seem that those who know the most about the workings of the Island seem to be unable (or unwilling?) to share what they know for some reason. This is where I think much speculation regarding Richard Alpert comes from, and may help answer some questions about him.
This is a great new way to look at what is happening on the Island. Nice Job!