With all of the reading of theories over the past few years, I can not remember if anyone specifically theorized what I am about to state, but I came to this idea on my own, so here goes:
I theorize that the plot of the show is going to be centered on concepts of Alchemy.
This is how I the idea popped into my head: I was looking at the transcripts of the whispers from the the episode "The Beginning of the End" (http://lostwhispering.blogspot.com/) and one of the whispers at the beginning of the sequence mentions about an "alchemist" and concludes at the end of the sequence about thinking they had "lost" the "recipe". I then decided to read up about alchemy on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/Wiki/Alchemy) and it became apparent that there are a helluva lot of connections that are going on in the show.
I am not going to go on an on about all the info about Alchemy so please check it, its also not a difficult read and pretty interesting. But I will mention some the bigger connections. First, Alchemy dates back to ancient Egypt. A connection that was first brought to light on the Swan Hatch counter and more recently on the stone tablet with hieroglyphics in the tunnel that was connected to Ben's house. "Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, Japan, Korea and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in the Muslim civilizations, and then in Europe up to the 20th century—in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years." Notice also how there is a Korean connection there too.
Moving on, Alchemy involves a book, on which the plot of the show in based on lots of books, call the "Magnum Opus." To quote the Wiki information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_opus: "The Great Work (Latin: Magnum opus) is a term which originated in medieval European alchemy which refers to the successful completion of the transmutation of base matter into gold or the creation of the philosopher's stone. It has subsequently been used as a metaphor for spiritual transformation in the Hermetic tradition. Its three stages are:[3]
* nigredo(-putrefactio), blackening(-putrefaction): individuation, purification, burnout of impureness; see also Suns in alchemy - Sol Niger
* albedo, whitening: spiritualization, enlightenment
* rubedo, reddening: unification of man with god, unification of the limited with the unlimited."
I thought this very intriguing because the characters of the show are engaged in purification and trying to attain enlightenment. The character that best represents these concepts, in my opinion, is Locke. But more importantly there seems to be a big connection here between faith/religion, philosophy and science. This I believe is the "Rosetta stone" that will link faith/religion, philosophy and science in the plot of the show. The concepts in the Magnum Opus are also related to every religion introduced through the show: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Furthermore, Carl Jung put a lot of effort into linking alchemical philosophy to spirituality.
During the Enlightenment, practice of Alchemy led in to the development in elixirs, which would be come medicine, that cure sicknesses. We see Sun doing this in through the show to help where Jack does not have the means to treat those who are sick. Alchemy was also used to try to create life from non-life. Seems like this could be a part of the Life-Extension projects of the DHARMA Initiative, no?
Moving on closer to the present, Alchemy significantly influence Sir Isaac Newton, who contributed to the foundation of scientific understanding of optics and physics, of which has a significant influence on the show. Just look at all the "eyeball" connections. I also won't list all the physics connection, I'll be here forever if I tried, but I think general consensus shows that physics is a huge part of the science of the show.
A few final thoughts and things to look out for:
Lets keep and eye out, no pun intended, for these names on the show though seasons 5 and 6, that relate to Alchemy: Isaac Newton, Roger Bacon, Thomas Aquinas, Tycho Brahe, Thomas Browne, Parmigianino, Baron Carl Reichenbach, Ernest Rutherford.
A huge part of Alchemy during the Middle Ages involved the "elixir of life." This elixir that could cure any and every disease known to man and prolong life indefinably, could only be achieved with a theorized item called "the philosopher's stone." It could also amplify one's powers immensely if it was utilized. Arabic and European Alchemists looked for it in vain through the Middle Ages.
Now for my boldest assertion, where in actual history alchemists futilely searched for the 'philosopher's stone," in the fiction of show there is one person that found it accidentally, Magus Hanso, when he crashed the Black Rock into it. That's right, I bet you that "The Island" is the "Philosopher's Stone." Its all a matter of perspecitve, so where the alchemists perspective was off, instead of looking for something small they should have been searching for something big. Not to mention that they did not have advanced enough maritime expertise to sail the world to find it, but nonetheless, their perspective was incorrect. And the reason nobody could find "The Philosopher's Stone/The Island" is two fold. First, the technology of the Middle Ages was limited as aforementioned. Second, it was hidden through/across time though time travel. And now that technology has caught itself up to the present, time travel is the only way that the island can hide.
If you have been with me thus far, you reading this has not been in vain, here comes the best part:
Now my post has come full circle. To save humanity, The Elixir of Life must be used to save humanity (according to the Valenzetti Equation.) What is needed is The Philosopher's Stone, a.k.a. The Island. What is needed is the recipe to make The Elixir of Life. What is needed is The Alchemist. So, part of season 5 and 6 should deal with all three. And I also think that the Alchemist and The One could be two different people, which I will get to.
I think the search for the Alchemist already been alluded to. The DHARMA tests that have been made available online is really the search for, The Alchemist!
The "Lost Recipe" that I referenced at the beginning of this post is in the hands (if they even have hands) of the whispers. And the whispers seem to be trapped or hidden on the island, so hiding "The Island" is more important because the "Lost Recipe" for The Elixir of Life is embedded within the device itself that is also needed to create The Elixir. So what is ultimately needed to unlock (or is it un-Locke in reference to "dead" Locke) the "Lost Recipe" is a key. That could be why Locke's body needs to be returned to The Island. And Locke was alluded to by his high school guidance counselor as gifted in the field of science could very well point that he is the Alchemist.
Locke probably is The Alchemist. But the writing will not prove it until we see actually what happens. We can not know for sure because there are a handful of other characters who have heard the whispers. It is these characters that also have potential, like Jack, Sawyer, and Sayid. I can't remember all of the characters who have heard the whispers. Has Kate heard them too? If she hasn't she will. How do I know? Because she is the "Dark Horse" in this race!! Her black horse is a huge clue. Also remember that the creators of the show said Kate was supposed to be the main hero, another clue. She still can be the hero. Her story of always running away would make for an incredible climax to an incredible piece of story telling.....The person who has always run away faces the ultimate choice to not run away and save humanity! So there you have it, I think Kate could be The One (who actually save's us all.)
I think Kate could be the person to do the final act of courage to save the world (maybe at the cost of her life, and I think that is how the love triangle needs to be resolved between Jack, Kate, Sawyer where neither guy ends up with her because it would not be fair to either guy for her to end up with just one of them).
So that is all I have. I know this kind of came a part toward the end, but I wanted to get everything in my head out there for discussion. Feel free to pick where I left off or correct if I made any mistakes. Whatever happens, the show is gonna to continue to be one helluva ride!
Theory by boggs2000
I theorize that the plot of the show is going to be centered on concepts of Alchemy.
This is how I the idea popped into my head: I was looking at the transcripts of the whispers from the the episode "The Beginning of the End" (http://lostwhispering.blogspot.com/) and one of the whispers at the beginning of the sequence mentions about an "alchemist" and concludes at the end of the sequence about thinking they had "lost" the "recipe". I then decided to read up about alchemy on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/Wiki/Alchemy) and it became apparent that there are a helluva lot of connections that are going on in the show.
I am not going to go on an on about all the info about Alchemy so please check it, its also not a difficult read and pretty interesting. But I will mention some the bigger connections. First, Alchemy dates back to ancient Egypt. A connection that was first brought to light on the Swan Hatch counter and more recently on the stone tablet with hieroglyphics in the tunnel that was connected to Ben's house. "Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, Japan, Korea and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in the Muslim civilizations, and then in Europe up to the 20th century—in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years." Notice also how there is a Korean connection there too.
Moving on, Alchemy involves a book, on which the plot of the show in based on lots of books, call the "Magnum Opus." To quote the Wiki information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_opus: "The Great Work (Latin: Magnum opus) is a term which originated in medieval European alchemy which refers to the successful completion of the transmutation of base matter into gold or the creation of the philosopher's stone. It has subsequently been used as a metaphor for spiritual transformation in the Hermetic tradition. Its three stages are:[3]
* nigredo(-putrefactio), blackening(-putrefaction): individuation, purification, burnout of impureness; see also Suns in alchemy - Sol Niger
* albedo, whitening: spiritualization, enlightenment
* rubedo, reddening: unification of man with god, unification of the limited with the unlimited."
I thought this very intriguing because the characters of the show are engaged in purification and trying to attain enlightenment. The character that best represents these concepts, in my opinion, is Locke. But more importantly there seems to be a big connection here between faith/religion, philosophy and science. This I believe is the "Rosetta stone" that will link faith/religion, philosophy and science in the plot of the show. The concepts in the Magnum Opus are also related to every religion introduced through the show: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Furthermore, Carl Jung put a lot of effort into linking alchemical philosophy to spirituality.
During the Enlightenment, practice of Alchemy led in to the development in elixirs, which would be come medicine, that cure sicknesses. We see Sun doing this in through the show to help where Jack does not have the means to treat those who are sick. Alchemy was also used to try to create life from non-life. Seems like this could be a part of the Life-Extension projects of the DHARMA Initiative, no?
Moving on closer to the present, Alchemy significantly influence Sir Isaac Newton, who contributed to the foundation of scientific understanding of optics and physics, of which has a significant influence on the show. Just look at all the "eyeball" connections. I also won't list all the physics connection, I'll be here forever if I tried, but I think general consensus shows that physics is a huge part of the science of the show.
A few final thoughts and things to look out for:
Lets keep and eye out, no pun intended, for these names on the show though seasons 5 and 6, that relate to Alchemy: Isaac Newton, Roger Bacon, Thomas Aquinas, Tycho Brahe, Thomas Browne, Parmigianino, Baron Carl Reichenbach, Ernest Rutherford.
A huge part of Alchemy during the Middle Ages involved the "elixir of life." This elixir that could cure any and every disease known to man and prolong life indefinably, could only be achieved with a theorized item called "the philosopher's stone." It could also amplify one's powers immensely if it was utilized. Arabic and European Alchemists looked for it in vain through the Middle Ages.
Now for my boldest assertion, where in actual history alchemists futilely searched for the 'philosopher's stone," in the fiction of show there is one person that found it accidentally, Magus Hanso, when he crashed the Black Rock into it. That's right, I bet you that "The Island" is the "Philosopher's Stone." Its all a matter of perspecitve, so where the alchemists perspective was off, instead of looking for something small they should have been searching for something big. Not to mention that they did not have advanced enough maritime expertise to sail the world to find it, but nonetheless, their perspective was incorrect. And the reason nobody could find "The Philosopher's Stone/The Island" is two fold. First, the technology of the Middle Ages was limited as aforementioned. Second, it was hidden through/across time though time travel. And now that technology has caught itself up to the present, time travel is the only way that the island can hide.
If you have been with me thus far, you reading this has not been in vain, here comes the best part:
Now my post has come full circle. To save humanity, The Elixir of Life must be used to save humanity (according to the Valenzetti Equation.) What is needed is The Philosopher's Stone, a.k.a. The Island. What is needed is the recipe to make The Elixir of Life. What is needed is The Alchemist. So, part of season 5 and 6 should deal with all three. And I also think that the Alchemist and The One could be two different people, which I will get to.
I think the search for the Alchemist already been alluded to. The DHARMA tests that have been made available online is really the search for, The Alchemist!
The "Lost Recipe" that I referenced at the beginning of this post is in the hands (if they even have hands) of the whispers. And the whispers seem to be trapped or hidden on the island, so hiding "The Island" is more important because the "Lost Recipe" for The Elixir of Life is embedded within the device itself that is also needed to create The Elixir. So what is ultimately needed to unlock (or is it un-Locke in reference to "dead" Locke) the "Lost Recipe" is a key. That could be why Locke's body needs to be returned to The Island. And Locke was alluded to by his high school guidance counselor as gifted in the field of science could very well point that he is the Alchemist.
Locke probably is The Alchemist. But the writing will not prove it until we see actually what happens. We can not know for sure because there are a handful of other characters who have heard the whispers. It is these characters that also have potential, like Jack, Sawyer, and Sayid. I can't remember all of the characters who have heard the whispers. Has Kate heard them too? If she hasn't she will. How do I know? Because she is the "Dark Horse" in this race!! Her black horse is a huge clue. Also remember that the creators of the show said Kate was supposed to be the main hero, another clue. She still can be the hero. Her story of always running away would make for an incredible climax to an incredible piece of story telling.....The person who has always run away faces the ultimate choice to not run away and save humanity! So there you have it, I think Kate could be The One (who actually save's us all.)
I think Kate could be the person to do the final act of courage to save the world (maybe at the cost of her life, and I think that is how the love triangle needs to be resolved between Jack, Kate, Sawyer where neither guy ends up with her because it would not be fair to either guy for her to end up with just one of them).
So that is all I have. I know this kind of came a part toward the end, but I wanted to get everything in my head out there for discussion. Feel free to pick where I left off or correct if I made any mistakes. Whatever happens, the show is gonna to continue to be one helluva ride!
Theory by boggs2000
