The Copenhagen Watchers
by back_gammon
The physics of quantum consciousness suggests we bring forth our world via observation and consensus. Just as in many Eastern religions, quantum wave theory posits that reality requires the act of observation to bring forth a given reality. By now most LOST fans are familiar with this concept, but if you're not then please google the "Copenhagen Interpretation." (The Copenhagen short and dirty: reality requires an observer to exist.)
I propose that Jacob and AJ are ancient designated "Copenhagen observers" whose purpose is to ensure that a dualistic reality exists for humankind. While in theory only one consciousness is required to ensure the existence of a given reality, two consciousnesses which are always at odds holding each other in tension would ensure that humankind's reality would be filled with more complexity. A more complex reality could be good or bad, depending on your perspective.
Eyes and Observation
Since the beginning of the series, eyes and observation have featured prominently. Many episodes open with an eye, a pov shot from a given character. Observation was the stated purpose of the Pearl, the station at the center of Dharma's experiments. Dr. Mark Wickmund quotes Karen DeGroot and tells us "Careful observation is the only key to true and complete awareness."
Binary oppositions
Since the beginning of the series, binary oppositions have been a foremost motif. Binary oppositions are those things thought to be opposites, all the yin yangs of the universe if you will: black/white, fate/freewill, science/faith, us/them, life/death, good/bad, etc. Each of these binaries holds the other in check and a tension exists between them. Each defines the other in the pair. In short, they each require the other to exist. Not only do they define each other, but they define everything in between, all the complex shades of gray that exist between black and white for example.
Back to Jacob and AJ
What if Jacob and AJ are two ancient observers each embodying one half of a master binary. Call it the black/white binary. Aligned on an axis with black are certain human traits and concepts and aligned with white are certain human traits and concepts. The details aren't important at this point. What's important is that they each exist, and because they each esist and they're both observing with separate eyes, humankind has a dualistic reality filled with complexity.
In this scenario, Jacob and AJ are bound by ancient laws, rules. Neither can interfere directly with the course of human events. Perhaps they can bend the rules or laws. For example, if fate is aligned with AJ then perhaps he can course correct; or if free will is aligned with Jacob then perhaps he can remind people they have a choice. But the bottom line is that they exist only to observe and neither can interfere directly with the course of human events. Further, neither can eliminate the other because to do so would result in one singular vision of reality.
Should a singular vision result, humankind would exist in a much different reality, a reality without contrast, without opposites, and without all the shades of gray in between the opposites. It would be simpler. Maybe this is good. Maybe it isn't. But there's no getting around it would be very, very different.
AJ's loophole.
It appears AJ found his loophole and eliminated his binary opposite. If this is true, then all of reality will now come down to his pov, reality as observed through his eyes. Unless Juliet somehow succeeded in blasting everyone to a time when variables still existed (google hidden variables) and before AJ found his loophole.
by back_gammon
The physics of quantum consciousness suggests we bring forth our world via observation and consensus. Just as in many Eastern religions, quantum wave theory posits that reality requires the act of observation to bring forth a given reality. By now most LOST fans are familiar with this concept, but if you're not then please google the "Copenhagen Interpretation." (The Copenhagen short and dirty: reality requires an observer to exist.)
I propose that Jacob and AJ are ancient designated "Copenhagen observers" whose purpose is to ensure that a dualistic reality exists for humankind. While in theory only one consciousness is required to ensure the existence of a given reality, two consciousnesses which are always at odds holding each other in tension would ensure that humankind's reality would be filled with more complexity. A more complex reality could be good or bad, depending on your perspective.
Eyes and Observation
Since the beginning of the series, eyes and observation have featured prominently. Many episodes open with an eye, a pov shot from a given character. Observation was the stated purpose of the Pearl, the station at the center of Dharma's experiments. Dr. Mark Wickmund quotes Karen DeGroot and tells us "Careful observation is the only key to true and complete awareness."
Binary oppositions
Since the beginning of the series, binary oppositions have been a foremost motif. Binary oppositions are those things thought to be opposites, all the yin yangs of the universe if you will: black/white, fate/freewill, science/faith, us/them, life/death, good/bad, etc. Each of these binaries holds the other in check and a tension exists between them. Each defines the other in the pair. In short, they each require the other to exist. Not only do they define each other, but they define everything in between, all the complex shades of gray that exist between black and white for example.
Back to Jacob and AJ
What if Jacob and AJ are two ancient observers each embodying one half of a master binary. Call it the black/white binary. Aligned on an axis with black are certain human traits and concepts and aligned with white are certain human traits and concepts. The details aren't important at this point. What's important is that they each exist, and because they each esist and they're both observing with separate eyes, humankind has a dualistic reality filled with complexity.
In this scenario, Jacob and AJ are bound by ancient laws, rules. Neither can interfere directly with the course of human events. Perhaps they can bend the rules or laws. For example, if fate is aligned with AJ then perhaps he can course correct; or if free will is aligned with Jacob then perhaps he can remind people they have a choice. But the bottom line is that they exist only to observe and neither can interfere directly with the course of human events. Further, neither can eliminate the other because to do so would result in one singular vision of reality.
Should a singular vision result, humankind would exist in a much different reality, a reality without contrast, without opposites, and without all the shades of gray in between the opposites. It would be simpler. Maybe this is good. Maybe it isn't. But there's no getting around it would be very, very different.
AJ's loophole.
It appears AJ found his loophole and eliminated his binary opposite. If this is true, then all of reality will now come down to his pov, reality as observed through his eyes. Unless Juliet somehow succeeded in blasting everyone to a time when variables still existed (google hidden variables) and before AJ found his loophole.
