(not an answer for every mystery, just a framework.)
Jacob can "see" into the future and into the past (See the globespotter.com diagram.) He stands in the place of the "observer." He does not travel in time, nor does anyone else. He has foreseen the earth's destruction. He is attempting to prevent that (the BIG plan.)
He recruits Others to help him save the world. (To be convinced, they may take a turn looking at the future themselves.) The importance of the goal explains why the Others have been converted to his cause so readily and totally, why they have been willing to kill, die, or commit atrocities. They HAVE to succeed.
The Others really ARE the "good guys." They are generally NOT angry, weak, or frightened. They are, on the contrary, usually calm, strong, tough, and serenely brave. (With exceptions)
An "observer" (again, see the diagram) can only see HIS past and HIS future. Jacob, has seen the Losties in HIS future on the island. He knew who would crash there. His list are the ones who could be used/assimilated/ converted--the "good ones."
He also knew who should NOT be on his list. He "saw" that some of the Losties were not "capable" of understanding/helping/cooperating with the BIG plan. They are too "flawed."
Yes, our beloved Losties ARE the "bad guys"-- violent, jealous, murderous, vengeful, deceptive, angry, hostile, fearful, paranoid, skeptical, stubborn, arrogant, etc. Hence they were not on the list --YET. They are not ready.
But, as Jacob has foreseen in his visions, they are also critical to the BIG plan. So they are left out on the island to "wrestle", like Jacob of old wrestled with God. They just still have some more "wrestling" to do. All the Others' manipulations have been attempts to get them prepared.
BUT we, the audience, have "watched" the Losties' pasts. That's what the flashbacks are-- the visions that Jacob and the Others have NOT been given. (Remember, an observer can only see his OWN past and future.) We know more about them than Jacob and the Others do.
I predict, however, that our beloved Losties will screw this up. They will foil all the attempts by the Others or the island to change them. And only after they have completely destroyed the Others' chance of success will they understand that they should have been on the same side. OOPS! too late.
Then they will have to take on the responsibility of saving the world.(Season 4) The villains, flawed as they are, will have to become the people they should have been after all.
Theory by Anon
Jacob can "see" into the future and into the past (See the globespotter.com diagram.) He stands in the place of the "observer." He does not travel in time, nor does anyone else. He has foreseen the earth's destruction. He is attempting to prevent that (the BIG plan.)
He recruits Others to help him save the world. (To be convinced, they may take a turn looking at the future themselves.) The importance of the goal explains why the Others have been converted to his cause so readily and totally, why they have been willing to kill, die, or commit atrocities. They HAVE to succeed.
The Others really ARE the "good guys." They are generally NOT angry, weak, or frightened. They are, on the contrary, usually calm, strong, tough, and serenely brave. (With exceptions)
An "observer" (again, see the diagram) can only see HIS past and HIS future. Jacob, has seen the Losties in HIS future on the island. He knew who would crash there. His list are the ones who could be used/assimilated/ converted--the "good ones."
He also knew who should NOT be on his list. He "saw" that some of the Losties were not "capable" of understanding/helping/cooperating with the BIG plan. They are too "flawed."
Yes, our beloved Losties ARE the "bad guys"-- violent, jealous, murderous, vengeful, deceptive, angry, hostile, fearful, paranoid, skeptical, stubborn, arrogant, etc. Hence they were not on the list --YET. They are not ready.
But, as Jacob has foreseen in his visions, they are also critical to the BIG plan. So they are left out on the island to "wrestle", like Jacob of old wrestled with God. They just still have some more "wrestling" to do. All the Others' manipulations have been attempts to get them prepared.
BUT we, the audience, have "watched" the Losties' pasts. That's what the flashbacks are-- the visions that Jacob and the Others have NOT been given. (Remember, an observer can only see his OWN past and future.) We know more about them than Jacob and the Others do.
I predict, however, that our beloved Losties will screw this up. They will foil all the attempts by the Others or the island to change them. And only after they have completely destroyed the Others' chance of success will they understand that they should have been on the same side. OOPS! too late.
Then they will have to take on the responsibility of saving the world.(Season 4) The villains, flawed as they are, will have to become the people they should have been after all.
Theory by Anon
