The Lost Blog

The Thing I Will Miss Most About LOST Is ...

I know one thing for sure....WE'RE ALL GONNA GO INSANE WAITING FOR SEASON 5!! Well, maybe not insane, but a mild form of batty....or polarbeary. OK, no more shouting....time for typing.

Now's the time to let everyone know what you will truly miss about LOST during this hiatus. I for one shed a single tear whenever I see a mud puddle.....for I long to see the next Kate & Juliet exchange, however it may come. But what will you miss? Feel free to express your deepest anguish with our wonderful community. Tell us what you'll miss...why you'll miss it...and what may happen when we get started back up in Jan/Feb.

Where exactly was that count-down clock until the next episode of LOST?

I will miss having the entire family know that I am OFF-LIMITS for one hour each week. Who would ever have thought that a TV show would so completely mesmerize me? It’s as absorbing as (dare I say it)… NOVA, and that is saying something.

Oh hurry up 2009 - and not just because retirement will be closer. I just can't wait to see Sun kick A**. (Ok, so not everything is cerebral)

#1. Posted by: Jeff at June 10, 2008 6:55 PM

The Thing I Will Miss Most About LOST Is ...

trying to make sense of a world that inherently makes no sense ... much easier to swallow than trying to make sense of a world that makes no sense, but inherently is supposed to ...

#2. Posted by: ealgumby at June 10, 2008 9:26 PM

Now this would not be a forum without somebody mentioning they may miss CINDY'S SCARF!!!!

Other than that, I won't miss the sleepless Thursday nights as my head is ususlly spinning from trying to make sense of the latest episode.

#3. Posted by: Three Men and a Baby (I counted Hugo twice...) at June 10, 2008 10:19 PM

I'll miss that episode that whizzes by until suddenly before you realize an hour has gone by the screen goes black and--BOOM--LOST.

#4. Posted by: Crispy Seaplanes at June 11, 2008 10:36 AM

I will miss the anticipation of the next episode being so close -hours and minutes away. Then, sitting on the edge of myseat watchingit...and then, you all knowI'm going to say it...drinking winewhile watching it a second time. (never god to drink during the first viewing!)'

And...I will miss the opportunity to call MIF !!

#5. Posted by: meg at June 11, 2008 11:12 AM

I think what I will miss is evident.

What, you ask?

The thing I will miss most about LOST is...

BENJAMIN LINUS! <3

#6. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 11, 2008 11:34 AM

...and of course everything else about LOST. (except obviously JACK'S BREATHING).

#7. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 11, 2008 11:39 AM

I still miss Charlie (sniff).

I'll miss having something to engage my brain & send me searching all over the Internet for information on anything from tesseracts to classic novels.

But I'll miss our regular community chat the most!

#8. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 11, 2008 1:12 PM

Sayid. That is all.

#9. Posted by: Tadow at June 11, 2008 1:32 PM

Hurley
Sawyer
Sayid
Hurley/Sawyer one-liners
TV that makes me remember why scripted shows are good!

#10. Posted by: Lise at June 11, 2008 1:53 PM

Ya...I'll miss the anticipation towards the next episode the most. And Jeff said it best...my girlfriend knows that I am completely unavailable on that night. But now I do more smooching & such....hehehehe!!!

#11. Posted by: Red...Neck...Man at June 11, 2008 2:23 PM

@1 Jeff asked:

>Where exactly was that count-down clock until the next episode of LOST?

It was a personalized counter, easily made at the website:

www.timeanddate.com

The URL was:

//www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?month=02&day=06&year=2008&hour=22&min=00&sec=00&p0=207

Which you'll notice contains a date and time. If you run it not it shows the timse SINCE the S-4 premier.

However, to make a new one, you have to know the date and time of the next "Lost" episode. So far as I know, ABC has not announced one, yet.

As soon as they do, I'll post a URL to get the exact amount of time till the next new ep.

#12. Posted by: Cecil Rose at June 11, 2008 3:21 PM

I'll miss that exciting, tingling, once-a-week feeling:

....I T ' S T H U R S D A Y !!!!

#13. Posted by: Cecil Rose at June 11, 2008 3:24 PM

YO FOLKS... the anticipation waiting for the next episode isn't going away!!! We're waiting for the season 5 premire episode! AND, a lot of us are probably going to stick around here for the break, and also, there's still so much more stuff to research! Maybe someone will come up with something good.

We have the rest of the year to figure out this episode. Let's get crackinnn'

...or not. =/ lol

#14. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 11, 2008 5:11 PM

gosh, there's so much to miss. for one, i'll miss the thrill of new footage (because like most of you, the break between seasons is filled with LOST dvds, seasons 1-3 (and 4 in a number of months)) i'll miss the lovely smirk of john locke (who reminds me more and more of my father-in-law). i'll miss the eye-bulging responses of benjamin linus.

i don't know how i'm going to get through the next 7 months...

#15. Posted by: DriveShaft at June 11, 2008 5:45 PM

I think I remember reading that LOST will return on 29 Jan 09. Same timeslot.
They are going to donkey wheel us. S4 finale to S5 premiere will be the exact same number of days that Ben travelled from Orchid to arriving in Tunisia.

#16. Posted by: DocH at June 11, 2008 5:55 PM

If DocH is correct, then the time to Lost S-5 is:

Time until Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 10:00:00 PM (Raleigh time)

232 days
5572 hours
334355 minutes
20061355 seconds

Alternative version

It is
232 days,
4 hours,
35 minutes and
55 seconds

until Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 10:00:00 PM (Raleigh time)

Current time is
2008-06-11 18:24:05 EDT(local time in Raleigh)

Bookmark this URL and you can know the time remaining at any time:

tinyurl.com/6nlkew


#17. Posted by: Cecil at June 11, 2008 6:27 PM

The things(s) I will miss most about LOST :(((


Larry, Moe, and Hurley:
tinyurl.com/3rjzpo

The original ThighMaster:
tinyurl.com/3jts7u

My Constant, Scarfy:
tinyurl.com/423qpo

Who ya gonna call?:
tinyurl.com/534jrq

Darlton “spoilery”:
tinyurl.com/3qdunl

Love Story (Pass the tissues, Alaïs):
tinyurl.com/4rglnp

Who’s zoomin who?:
tinyurl.com/6k9y6a

The Absent-Minded Professor:
tinyurl.com/3m73hx

I See (Well-Groomed) Dead People:
tinyurl.com/4ah3tl

Indiana Ben and the Deathstick of Doom:
tinyurl.com/3roxff

Shock and Awe:
tinyurl.com/42zyut

Takin’ care of business:
tinyurl.com/4jsaad

’96 Des (Fire up the Replicator!):
tinyurl.com/3jkdys

And last, but never least... laffo:
tinyurl.com/59raej

#18. Posted by: Clementine at June 11, 2008 7:55 PM

I will miss my insane attempt to take notes during each episode...filled with juicy bits of information that y'all usually beat me to by the time I get here anyway! :)

But the thing I will miss most are our creative abbreviations for everything...WGNABB!!!

#19. Posted by: Vikki at June 11, 2008 9:30 PM

Clementine, those were *great*! And Vikki, here's a new acronym: WGNABBOT (We're Gonna Need a Bigger Box of Tissues)...

#20. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 12, 2008 12:15 AM

9:59pm EST. Sitting on the floor hugging knees to chest, rocking slowly back and forth, eyes staring wildly at the TV screen.

"An all-new episode of lost starts RIGHT NOW."

#21. Posted by: Summer-Scooby at June 12, 2008 7:36 AM

@18 Oh, My Darling Clementine:

Wow, Clementine's got her own dictionary entry!

#22. Posted by: Cecil Rose at June 12, 2008 10:37 AM

I gave 'laffo' a thumbs up!

I loved "Indiana Ben and the Deathstick of Doom" the best. Haha =]

#23. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 12, 2008 4:54 PM

I have started re-watching Lost and I have an awful memory so alot of it is like new again.I am remembering now why I liked Locke. the past season (or 2 or 3?) I had forgotten. He was so sweet to Walt (Walt was the 1 that set the first raft on fire!?- see I told you I have an awful memory) and Locke didn't tell anybody. He helped Charlie quit the nose candy. And he built Claire a cradle for her turnip headed kid. (AAAWWWWW)
I guess my point is, for a while now I have been rooting for Locke & wasn't sure why. I got attached in the first season & now I'm stuck with him.

By the way, the things I will miss most about Lost - Sawyer's dimples & Ben's bug eyes.

#24. Posted by: xanadude at June 12, 2008 5:19 PM

Well, this is somewhat related to the topic at hand:

tinyurl.com/5veru9

Apparently, Naveen will not miss a whole lot about Lost. (He must be quite the diva on set.)

#25. Posted by: Clementine at June 12, 2008 7:04 PM

@Clementine/25
From Naveen's interview:
"I don't think it's a burden being paid, but it's a real discipline to play the same character over years rather than months or weeks. It requires a certain amount of stamina."

Damn, I must have a lot of stamina ... I've been "playing" essentially the same "role" for the past twenty-some years ... working to get by! Where's my two-month hiatus! A need a new role!

#26. Posted by: ealgumby at June 12, 2008 8:18 PM

From the above:

Q: Once Lost is done, would you do a network series again?

A:(Naveen [Sayid Jarrah]Andrews]: "To be honest with you, I think you've got to go where the good writing is, whether it's film or TV. There's a lot of crap films around at the moment. So to answer the question, wherever the good writing is."

Speaking of crap films and Naveen Andrews, see my review in the Hiatus Random Area. *Click my name to go there.*

#27. Posted by: Cecil Rose at June 12, 2008 8:30 PM

Wow. Naveen has quite the attitude.

Why does he keep saying the "F word"!?!? =[

... I was never a fan.

#28. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 12, 2008 11:55 PM

Everything I just read here is what I will about Lost. I hope you all everybody keep coming......

I used to really enjoy Lost on my own but not many friends or rels did, (They don't watch all season and then get the DVD to watch it all at once. I can't wait that long.) so I began to feel silly being sooooo wrapped up in it. I thought I must have a really little life if waking up on Thursday could get me going faster than every other day. Now I know I am not weird, there are "others". Thanks.

Thanks Clementine for the photos. How did you get them?

#29. Posted by: berkyo at June 13, 2008 2:30 PM

I shall miss my ritual of the show and this blog.Although this is my first post i have been a long time lurker. Props to All especially the regulars, Ealgumby, Red...Neck..Man, Vikki, Cecil Rose, Vacc, ilovebenjaminlinus,Crispy seaplanes of course Macc, clemantine,alias-longthought. Anyone i've left out my apologies. Love from London.... till then...........

#30. Posted by: Black Rock N Roll at June 14, 2008 11:13 AM

P.S I hope we have more treats from this years comcon. Only a small drop in the ocean i know but hopefully as good as the Orchid orientation was last year.

#31. Posted by: Black Rock N Roll at June 14, 2008 11:19 AM


I found this site. Is it a real Lost site or is someone just playing games?
Anybody know?

What were the initials in the bracelets?
GR or RG?
maybe the New DI is more devious.

http://octagonglobalrecruiting.blogspot.com/2008/05/mysterious-warning.html

#32. Posted by: berkyo at June 14, 2008 3:29 PM

→ 32. berkyo: Initials on bracelet:

They were RG. As far as Octagon Global Recruiting, the ad ran during LOST, so I think it's by TPTB & not a fan- or other (Other, ha ha)-created ad.

#33. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 14, 2008 3:59 PM

Kate and Sawyer. But, I know the reunion I know they will have eventually, will be worth it.

#34. Posted by: Lea at June 14, 2008 10:41 PM

@33 Alaïs_Longthought mentioned:

...As far as Octagon Global Recruiting, the ad ran during LOST, so I think it's by TPTB & not a fan- or other (Other, ha ha)-created ad.

The site also has the Disney Privacy Policy and Terms of Use links, leading to the conclusion it's legit, although I think it's just basicaly publicity for their ComicCon appearance. I left my email address, but nothing's come of it, yet.

#35. Posted by: Cecil at June 16, 2008 10:26 AM

The thing I will miss most is reading all your wonderful posts. Oh, and any scenes during LOST that include my furry friends...

#36. Posted by: BunnyLover at June 16, 2008 10:45 AM

What I meant - about the octagon site - was - do you think it is part of an online game? I did not have DSL when the the other games were online and I am not sure how they work. Will it be obvious that a game is beginning?

#37. Posted by: berkyo at June 16, 2008 10:48 AM

@37 berkyo:

No, it might not be obvious that a new game was beginning. The lost experience began with ads for Hanso Corp on the regular show. The same sort of "image" ads that a lot of big corporations that have no specific product to sell to the consumer, but just want to generate general good will often place.

The ads provided phone numbers and web sites for further information.

Sometimes further information was found on web pages by clicking on "View Source" and reading the comment lines in the source.

Sometimes there were 'hidden links' on web pages that took you other places.

By going all these places and examining everything VERY closely, a story was put together in bits and pieces (See the Lost Experience Explained on this blog for more info and links to other sources of info about the game.)

One thing that was almost universally maintained was the Privacy and Terms links that the Disney lawyers apparently insisted on in 'official' games sites.

Many sites quickly sprang up that shared and consolidated clues for finding more in-game information.

Just as quickly hoax sites sprang up that mimiced 'official' sites.

A good time was had by all.

I don't think the current Octagon site is anything more than a publicity generator for their annual ComicCon appearance, because:

1. While they haven't ruled it out, the producers have stated they'd have to have a good reasomn for staging another one, and would want it to be quality and fit in with the story.

2. In the strike-interrupted season just past, I don't think they had time to concentrate much on such side pursuits.

3. Examining the Octagon site and the source very closely I don't see anything that leads me to other places.

4. There was only the one ad on the show, not a series.

Don't consider me infallible on this. (See Clarke's Second Law.)

All this could change, of course, if they make some kind of spectacular (or merely mysterious) announcement at ComicCon. Wish I could be there.

#38. Posted by: Cecil at June 16, 2008 1:21 PM

@bunnylover:

So shall we meet at the same place the third Saturday in October?

Last year it was a surprise victory for the good guys, but about the last good thing to happen all season.

I hope one of those doesn't repeat this season, and you can guess which one. (g)

#39. Posted by: Cecil at June 16, 2008 1:27 PM

Dearest Cecil - make that the FOURTH Saturday in October this year! Yes, I know... how dare they break the traditional 3rd Saturday scheduling of the two best football rivals in history. Oh well, perhaps it will bring Tennessee luck this year!
GO VOLS!!!
See you there? Same bat time, same bat bar?

#40. Posted by: BunnyLover at June 16, 2008 3:50 PM

I'll miss the mind bending story line! I just hope that by the time the show ends, it will end with explanations and not leave me hanging for-EVER. Hanging for 5 months is long enough...but to never have any closure would be cruel and inhumane, which is just the way the island would like it, I suppose.

#41. Posted by: debi at June 16, 2008 4:08 PM

Mac. I'll miss Mac most of all.

#42. Posted by: lovelost at June 16, 2008 5:03 PM

I would say I'd miss all of you, but hopefully everyone will hop over to the Random Topic Hiatus Area and keep the conversation going.

Bunnylover:

Be there with bells on and maybe this year Carol can come, too.

How dare those Dastards at the SEC mess with tradition!

#43. Posted by: Cecil at June 16, 2008 5:31 PM

@lovelost/42
"I'll miss Mac most of all."

Does that make him Scarecrow? ;)

#44. Posted by: ealgumby at June 16, 2008 6:10 PM

Thanks Cecil. 'preciate the info.
I'll keep an eye on it. I read somewhere - but did not check it - there was a Monster.com job for the DI. I'll see if I can find it.

#45. Posted by: berkyo at June 16, 2008 6:52 PM

As long as we're into Wizard of Oz references...

Ben could return to the island by balloon (for real this time).

Or he could don ruby-red slippers, click his heels three times, & say "There's no place like home...there's no place like home..."

; >

#46. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 17, 2008 12:05 AM

→ 46. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought
Or he could don ruby-red slippers, click his heels three times, & say "There's no place like home...there's no place like home..."
; >
- - - -
What do you think he was wearing when he had Juliet over for his "not-a-date" date with her? That's why she got the heck out of there.

Shortly thereafter they initiated the islands' new "don't ask... don't tell" policy... heartily endorsed by Tom, then, Richard & his band of "Sherwood Forest" fellas.

#47. Posted by: MorBid0 at June 17, 2008 1:50 PM

Does that make him Scarecrow? ;)
→ 44. Posted by: ealgumby

I just knew YOU would get it. Scarecrow WAS, after all, Dorothy's favorite.

#48. Posted by: lovelost at June 17, 2008 2:06 PM

@45 berkyo speculated:

>...I read somewhere - but did not check it - there was a Monster.com job for the DI. I'll see if I can find it.

There was a "Monster powered" Hanso careers page in the original Lost Experience, and it's still visible at:

www.hansocareers.com

I haven't found anything similar for Octagon.

#49. Posted by: Cecil at June 17, 2008 5:10 PM

Has anyone ever watched "Night at the Museum"?
There is a huge banner hanging outside the museum building with an image of an Egyptian person who looks just like... Benjamin Linus. No kidding!!!!!

Either that, or I am missing LOST so much that I will not possibly make it to next Feb.

Would much rather start seeing images of Des, Jack or Sawyer in all my sub-concious visions.

#50. Posted by: weepict at June 17, 2008 8:49 PM

Has Anyone Read Atlas Shrugged By Ayn Rand? Long Read But Interesting Theories And Paralles To Lost

#51. Posted by: lor at June 19, 2008 3:05 AM

Man do I sure miss laffo....

#52. Posted by: Red...Neck...Man at June 19, 2008 9:06 AM

I wanted to apply as a "Personal Assistant to Thomas Werner Mittelwerk."

http://www.hansocareers.com/1.asp

Unfortunately, I don't meet the requirements for the job.

It says, "The applicant must have at least three years of experience as either a primary or secondary assistant to a high-level professional corporate officer and must have a Ph.D. or advanced scientific degree in any one of the following fields: cryptography, comparative religion, molecular biology, Lacanian psychology, fluid mechanics, turbulence and computation -- or a minimum of 5 years in a recognized think-tank or government sponsored research facility. Fluency in Danish is essential, as well as French and German with some working knowledge of multiple asian languages."

The only requirement that I somewhat meet is the "with some working knowledge of multiple asian languages."

I don't know why being a personal assistant to him will require all those things... it makes me curious.

I wonder if there's something about BENJAMIN LINUS. I'd even lie on the job application if I had to... if there was a job opening.

#53. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 19, 2008 10:06 AM

I just noticed that there's only 5 jobs... total.

THEY FOOLED ME!!!

Still... I want that job.

AND OGR never e-mailed me back.

Maybe I'll try e-mailing the Hanso Foundation... get some "more info".

I'm a bit disappointed.

#54. Posted by: ilovebenjaminlinusxx at June 19, 2008 10:10 AM

I got an email from OGR today.It is an ad for comiccon inviting me to come.How nice! However it says that after the 27th July, there will be a website to view whatever is unfurled at comiccon.

#55. Posted by: berkyo at June 19, 2008 2:45 PM

Can I post a Lost surmise here? if not tell me where to go. ;)

The Swan Button.

I will assume that there was an incident and to keep the island hidden ( no magnetic emissions) the button must be pushed every 108 minutes.

Ben ,in season 2 (episode "?") tells John that he watched the button countdown while John was trapped and it did nothing and it reset itself.

Why would he do this? If he REALLY doesn't want th freighter to arrive.

1 - The button is meaningless. (Just a silly experiment)
2 - Ben wants John to stop pushing the button. (to make the island visible?)
3 - Ben wants to SEE if John has enough faith to keep pushing the button even though it seems meaningless. (A test - as Eko says later in the Pearl)

Maybe this is why the others did not care whether the button was pushed and did not do it themselves.

Any other reasons?????

Then, Ana appears to Eko. She says:
"Go help John."

Then Eko has a dream about Yemi. He says:
"Help John find the "?"

Is the Smoke monster the cause of apparitions and dreams?

If John finds the question mark, The Pearl monitoring station, he will becomes more disillusioned than he already is and not push the button. This appears to be what Ben wants. Is the smoke monster controlled by Ben? are they working together to expose the island? Ben has all that info on everyone's background. He knows how John will react.

If yes, then the smoke monster appearing as Ana and Yemi) wants John to lose faith, not push the button and the island to be found also.

When John does find the pearl and sees the orientation tape he says:
"I was never meant to do anything. Every single second of my pathetic little life is as useless as that button! You think it's important? You think it's necessary? It's nothing. It's nothing. It's meaningless. And who are you to tell me that it's not?"

So can I say that Ben DOES want the island to be found in spite of all he says, because his actions and manipulations have led them to that result?


#56. Posted by: berkyo at June 19, 2008 3:19 PM

http://bp0.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/SC_7ZWk2aOI/AAAAAAAAYrg/VcPQbIKWaHk/s1600-h/job+ad.jpg
This is the job description. It was at Dark UFO.

Is this from a while ago? I can't find a date. What did the cryptic question mean?

#57. Posted by: berkyo at June 19, 2008 3:25 PM

Big craft show this weekend. So I have to leave soon. I looked at the email again and followed the link for if you can't see the pictures. It looks the same, but I had heard that previous ARG's used the source page.
Well...... There is a a meta tag that says MARCH has 32 DAYS. So I googled that and found a site that is about comic books. the same name as the one on the show. I haven't read everything htere yet but it is very interesting!

If you are Wellsboro Pa stop by the craft section!!!

#58. Posted by: berkyo at June 19, 2008 4:22 PM

→ 58. berkyo: Craft show:

Have fun at the show! You may see a cousin of mine there...Lillian...

#59. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 19, 2008 5:31 PM

→ 56. berkyo posted some ideas about The Swan Button.

I actually sent vacc a theory a few days ago that I hope he posts, because it touches on your questions re: the Swan and Smokey.

Here's my 2 cents on a couple of your thoughts:

"the button must be pushed every 108 minutes. Ben ,in season 2 (episode "?") tells John that he watched the button countdown while John was trapped and it did nothing and it reset itself."

D&C have said that the button pushing was critical and not just a psychological test, and that if Desmond had not turned the fail safe key, the entire Earth would have been destroyed.

They've also said that the Swan was a top secret Dharma facility, unknown to most Dharma members, as well as to Ben and the Others. Ben allowed himself to be captured as means to get into the hatch and discover its purpose.

According to TPTB, Ben was incredulous that there actually were consequences to the button not being pushed, so I don't think he had a plan at that point re: push the button/don't push the button, expose the island/hide the island.

"Is the Smoke monster the cause of apparitions and dreams?" "Is the smoke monster controlled by Ben?"

I don't think the Smoke Monster wanted Locke to lose faith. The first time Locke encounters it, he looks into it and describes it as "beautiful", and the monster does not harm him.

When he goes through his crisis of faith about the Swan and the numbers, he encounters the monster again and it attacks him.

Again, D&C have stated that the monster is discriminating, in other words, it evaluates a person's faith in the island, then acts accordingly. Eko had faith, but not in the island, and was killed.

Given that Ben is at odds with the island (gets the tumor, can't talk with Jacob), I don't think he controls what appears to be the island's "guardian", or guard dog (Cerberus). It also seems that the monster was not controlled by Dharma (since they built the sonic security fence as protection from it).

Smokey has the ability to look into someone's mind/heart/soul and judge them- in other words, there's a consciousness there.

The island also has a consciousness, given that it can choose to heal or harm, manipulate worldwide events so that our favorite Losties are all on flight 815, make all of the pens in a Sydney adoption agency not work, make a gun in NYC fail to fire, etc.

So what kind of consciousness would have that level of power?

#60. Posted by: Mizzed at June 19, 2008 5:37 PM

@57 berkyo relayed:

>snip URL
>This is the job description. It was at Dark UFO.

>Is this from a while ago? I can't find a date. What did the cryptic question mean?

I haven't seen that one before. Don't think it was part of the original Lost Experience ARC. BICBR

Can't reallly tell much from an image about authenticity. Do you know where Dark UFO found it? Do they have some context? I couldn't find anything om Monster under "dancer" "dharma" or "hanso" so my guess is that this is old, non-legit, or both.

Can you refer me to the Dark UFO page that references it?

#61. Posted by: Cecil at June 19, 2008 7:32 PM

The Octagon email is from "hansvaneeghen" which is an acronym of "Van Has Gene Hen", so obviously there's a new character "Van" next season and he has an accident with a matter transporter and a chicken.

#62. Posted by: Cecil at June 19, 2008 7:36 PM

@57 berkyo asked:

>What did the cryptic question mean?

For those who haven't been there the question was:

"Before applying ask yourself: If a mirror has two sides you could assume that one side shows yourself the other is blank: however who would the third side show?"

Sounds like one of those Zen questions such as:

"What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

"Does the light go off when the refigerator door closes?"

"Why a duck?"

"If Locke blows something up when nobody is there, does Jack still make annoying noises when her breathes."

#63. Posted by: Cecil at June 19, 2008 7:44 PM

@self 62 above:

That joke would have worked a lot better if you'd rearranged the words the way you meant to:

"Van Has Hen Gene"

#64. Posted by: Cecil Rose at June 19, 2008 7:46 PM

→ 62. Cecil: Van, matter transporters, & chickens (oh my!):

So why did the speedy chicken dash into the matter transporter?

He wanted to see if he could make Van go.

; >

#65. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 19, 2008 9:23 PM

re:→ 65. Posted by: Alaïs
- - - -
Q: Which came first - The Chicken OR The Egg?

A: The Egg. But... then, unwilling to accept defeat, the Chicken 'Ben Linus'ed' her way into the matter transporter and went back to become first. When the Chicken and the Eggs' two separate timelines finally met, the Chicken beat the Egg with her telescoping baton. Realizing the irony of the situation, that she could not now exist (time paradox) having 'scrambled' THEE first egg, she went on a killing spree in Europe - her first target - The Eggconomist. Then to Widmores' to cackle and cluck at him and threaten his hatchling. Later, a hypothermic donkey walked by - and the henhouse moved.

#66. Posted by: MorBid0 at June 20, 2008 11:43 AM

→ 66. Posted by: MorBid0: LOST chicken & eggs:

Ha! LOL!

#67. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 20, 2008 12:10 PM

59. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought

Is she a crafter? What does she make?

Nice Show. Rained out on Sunday pm. Ruined the Laurel Parade.

#68. Posted by: berkyo at June 22, 2008 7:58 PM

→ 60. Posted by: Mizzed
“D&C have said that the button pushing was critical ...
They've also said that the Swan was a top secret Dharma facility, unknown to most Dharma members, as well as to Ben and the Others. Ben allowed himself to be captured as means to get into the hatch and discover its purpose.
According to TPTB, Ben was incredulous that there actually were consequences to the button not being pushed, so I don't think he had a plan at that point re: push the button/don't push the button, expose the island/hide the island."

This is not fair. They have also said that you can find everything you need in the show itself. I thought that Ben LOOKED surprised at the whole rigmarole when he was alone in the armory and not acting for anyone, but that was the only clue I had in regards to his feelings about the button. It makes a big difference if he did not know about it at all. And What about Jacob. He didn't know either?

And didn't Ben and Juliet watch the guys in the hatch from the Pearl station?
Remember when Ben says “A lot of silly experiments”? Maybe he never really paid attention to Dhanrma doings and doesn't know about the numbers either.

The islands powers, being used by Dharma for the good of the universe versus the powers of the island being used by Ben to further his own agenda.
So Dharma are the good guys? I have to think about this.
---------------------------------------------------
“I don't think the Smoke Monster wanted Locke to lose faith. “...
“Given that Ben is at odds with the island (gets the tumor, can't talk with Jacob), I don't think he controls what appears to be the island's "guardian", or guard dog (Cerberus). It also seems that the monster was not controlled by Dharma (since they built the sonic security fence as protection from it)”.

But he can open a door to let it out. Maybe they are the Cerebus vents on the blast door.Maybe it was also a Dharma invention and Ben doesn't really understand it.
-----------------------------------------------------
“So what kind of consciousness would have that level of power?”
Good question. The power of the universe correcting itself.

#69. Posted by: berkyo at June 22, 2008 8:15 PM

Can you refer me to the Dark UFO page that references it?
→ 61. Posted by: Cecil

This is where I started from. I sometimes lose track of my web wanderings......How can you tell where a piece of web info came from?

http://octagonglobalrecruiting.blogspot.com/2008/05/does-this-job-listing-from-monster.html

#70. Posted by: berkyo at June 22, 2008 8:20 PM

Ok now, I read the Lost experience explained on this site and they said to look for Meta tags in the web sites.

Sooooo, I have pictures turned off in my
email and I clicked on the ""click here to see pictures" link. On that page you can view the source code. the meta tag seems funny "March has 32 days" I googled that and got to a site

http://www.mysterytales40.com/march-has-32-days-last-story-from-the-mystery-tales-40-comic-book-96555

About a comic book that has something to do with the one that Alpert showed John when he was 5 years old. The site is very confusing. Anyone with a little time on their hands to help me out? It sounds like a hoax to me.

#71. Posted by: berkyo at June 22, 2008 8:40 PM

→ 69. berkyo

"This is not fair. They have also said that you can find everything you need in the show itself."

I think there's two levels to enjoying the show- one is to simply watch the episodes, the second is to read the podcasts, listen to the DVD commentary, participate in the Lost Experience, etc. The basic concepts will come out in the show itself, but the nuances get fleshed out in all of these secondary sources.

"So Dharma are the good guys?"

Only if science in Lost trumps faith. D&C have been trying to distance themselves from the "all explained by science" conception, by dropping a lot of spiritual references in their recent podcasts and interviews. It's either course correction, or misdirection.

"Good question. The power of the universe correcting itself."

This has been where my thoughts on Lost have been heading, or at least where I think TPTB may be heading. What's the difference between a conscious, all-seeing universe and the basic, non-sectarian conception of God?

#72. Posted by: Mizzed at June 23, 2008 2:28 AM

@69 berkyo wondered:

>The islands powers, being used by Dharma for the good of the universe versus the powers of the island being used by Ben to further his own agenda.
So Dharma are the good guys? I have to think about this.

Let's not forget that in the Lost Experience it was revealed that Dharma, or at least Hanso Corp acting in their name, was committing mass murder, organ stealing, brainwashing, and other nefarious acts.

#73. Posted by: Cecil at June 23, 2008 10:47 AM

@70 berkyo responded:

>This is where I started from. I sometimes lose track of my web wanderings......How can you tell where a piece of web info came from?

>http://octagonglobalrecruiting.blogspot.com/2008/05/does-this-job-listing-from-monster.html

So we have somebody posting an image on a blog purporting to be a Dharma ad on Monster, but no actual link to Monster itself.

I can't find such an ad despite multiple queries on Monster.

Suspicious, but not probative one way or the other. I suppose it could have been taken down by Monster int the interim.

I note some font variations in the ad itself, making me wonder if this is a cut and paste.

I suspect hoax, but can't conclusively say.

I'll follow the other leads you found when I have time.

The "web site to be made available" by Octagon after Comic Com may well launch us somewhere new.

#74. Posted by: Cecil at June 23, 2008 11:02 AM

The Thing I Will Miss Most About LOST Is ...
Adam & Eve in the cave.

Still pondering who.

How about "The DeGroots", hippy-dippy science adventurers... they were, "yeah, we'll go through the matter transporter Doctor Candlewick, we don't want to hurt anymore bunnies."

Minutes laters, "Hey Mister Peabody, you set the Way-Back Machine, literally, to 69... I meant 1969... not 69."

#75. Posted by: DocH at June 23, 2008 2:31 PM

→ 68. berkyo: Crafty cousin:

I'm not sure at this point what Lillian's specializing in...she's made pillows, decorated hats, & done a lot w/photography.

Did you do a LOST-related craft? ; )

#76. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought at June 23, 2008 2:39 PM

Did you do a LOST-related craft? ; )
→ 76. Posted by: Alaïs_Longthought

LOL. Not exactly. But I could. We - Hubby and I - make wooden jointed dolls. There are many characters but not one from Lost yet. No one has asked. We do make star wars figures though. And and Indiana Jones from way back. I guess Ben would be the most recognizable with those eyes. No one really wears a "costume" to help signify who it is. I will watch for Lillian at Eagles Mere and Canton's Apple and Cheese. She may be there.

#77. Posted by: berkyo at June 24, 2008 9:02 PM

The Thing I Will Miss Most About LOST Is ...

MMM (More MENSA Musings) by the 165+ IQ Club

New (5 page) article on

"Quantum Spacetime" @

www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-self-organizing-quantum-universe

#78. Posted by: DocH at June 25, 2008 11:52 AM

http://thewidmoregroup.com/7.html

This site has a June 2008 message. Could it be part of an ARG>

Is there some way to find a date on a web site? How do I know how old a site is? any way to tell? Any site I ever made (not amny and not too well) I put a date on.

The Minnesota Metallurgy is a link At this site. I suspect it is from an old game?

#79. Posted by: berkyo at June 25, 2008 5:47 PM

@DocH/78

At the risk of seeming really stupid and psychotic, I submit this e-mail I sent to my kids earlier this year (really):

>>>
Okay, I'm not insane, but ... have had this very vivid dream many multiples of times, and wanted to tell someone, just in case ...

My dream is this ... I have proven the validity of the Bakysl Transform and win the Nobel Prize ...

The Bakysl Transform is a mathematical mechanism to convert multi-dimensional space-time phenomena into algebraic equations, much like the Laplace Transform is used to convert differential equations into algebraic equations which can be solved easily, and then back-converted via inverse Laplace Transform.

The only problem with my dream is that there is no apparent inverse Bakysl Transform. The Bakysl Transform converts all physical phenomena from our relativistic frame to the "true" objective frame, where no value on any axis, regardless of dimension, can move backward (including time and space ... everything is moving outward and onward). Relative movement, as we perceive "space" is a truly causal system (consider a MLB pitcher throwing a pitch from the cockpit toward the back of a plane moving at 600 mph ... relative to the "objective" ground, the ball is always moving forward at 500+ mph, but to the people on the plane [i.e., "us"], the ball moves rapidly to the back of the plane), and all physics problems regarding causality (see Einstein, Hawking, et al) are resolved ... the "forward" dimensional speed limit is "c", the speed of light (like the speed of the plane ... hence Einstein's theory that nothing can go faster), and hence the "relatively" impossible-to-define "size" of the universe which has befuddled astrodynamicists for the past 100 years. Given that the transform is always backward moving, it always works hypothetically.

The question in my dream is whether it can be forward predicting, but that violates the causality it has defined as illegal according to its basic principles ... the future is always open to change. The future is flexible, the past is not.

I have had this dream off and on in various forms for over 20 years, and have spent many an hour unsuccessfully trying to define the Bakysl Transform (the name originally came to me in a dream, but has come back repeatedly ... I suppose a psychologist/psychiatrist would say I have reinforced that initial memory ... I have no idea who it's supposed to be named after) ... I do not think I am crazy. It makes sense, from the perspective of someone who is smarter than the average bear, and has looked into this when I have had time.

Maybe it's all bullshit, maybe not. I don't know, but suddenly decided I needed to share this idea with someone else. Always felt my moment was just around the corner ... maybe not. I firmly believe in Thomas Kuhn's theory ... whether or not I provide the next paradigm is irrelevant.

Hope this doesn't freak you out ... it shouldn't, just sharing something I've kept inside for far too long. Maybe now I can let it go.

- Dad
>>>

#80. Posted by: ealgumby at June 25, 2008 8:23 PM

@79 berkyo disclosd:

>http://thewidmoregroup.com/7.html

>This site has a June 2008 message. Could it be part of an ARG>

>Is there some way to find a date on a web site? How do I know how old a site is? any way to tell? Any site I ever made (not amny and not too well) I put a date on.

>The Minnesota Metallurgy is a link At this site. I suspect it is from an old game?

Some interesting stuff, and obviously done with some Lost knowledge, but most links eventually lead to some commercial sites and no Disney disclaimers.

Most likely just someone trying to generate some traffic to commercial destinations.

#81. Posted by: Cecil at June 26, 2008 11:17 AM

→ 80. Posted by: ealgumby

I don't understand exactly what you are saying, but obviously you do. I have read a little about relativity. So why don't you do something with it? Can't you publish it or something? I'll buy a copy.

I got a C+ in math all the way school except for geometry. And A+ in everything else. But I too had dream once about a graph that "I" created and it was the explanation of a very technical problem that boiled down to "The less is The More". It made everything clear and Probably saved the world. I still remember it and could tell you what it looked like too.

Why did you send it to your kids?

(odd.... when I copy and pasted the name of your transform bakysl into notepad, I got bakys and then an upside down L and now I see that it is MY pc that is doing that.)???

Bakysl = sky lab

#82. Posted by: berkyo at June 26, 2008 9:48 PM

Just finished the second season!

Question:
Would you push the button?

Yes I would. I would be afraid not to and keep on pushing it because I was told to do it. Catholic school through grade 10.

#83. Posted by: berkyo at June 26, 2008 9:51 PM

→ 80. Posted by: ealgumby

Just have to ask: how old are your kids? Did they understand all that, because you totally lost me at Bakysl Transform. ;-)

#84. Posted by: lovelost at July 2, 2008 7:01 PM

@berkyo/82
@lovelost/84

I have a daughter in college and a son about to enter his senior year in HS (and at the risk of seeming vain, yeah, I know, I have a baby face, and probably don't look quite my age ... definite disadvantage when younger, not so much now) ...

I am divorced, and my kids live with their mom. I have not spent as much time with them as I would've liked, or probably should've since the divorce, and that's on me (regretfully). Yet I think (hope) I have spent enough time with them over the years to instill a sense of wonder with the world around us, and the ability/propensity to question inadequate explanations of said. They are bright enough to handle any discussion I might throw their way, and will never (of course) back down from the opportunity to let me know how wrong I might be. Good for them. I am very proud of them, and value every pro/con/indifferent input they might provide over any issue rolling around in the back of my mind. Or for that matter, "Dad, I have no idea what you're saying ... do you need meds or something?"

#85. Posted by: ealgumby at July 3, 2008 8:39 PM

"What D&C Learned From Ty Warner"

This may seem a little off the wall, and I suppose could be placed in the Random Topic thread, but these thoughts arose directly from talking with my kids about “missing Lost.” My kids are both huge Lost fans as well, and we talked at length last night about possible inspirations for the show, including “Lost Horizon” among others, and how upset they would be if any potential actors’ strike delayed the new season. It didn’t occur to me until early today, just how much their enthusiasm for Lost was eerily similar to that shown for another previous passion … Beanie Babies. Back when they avidly collected them, each “new release” from Ty was just as eagerly anticipated as the next season of Lost.

It got me to thinking if maybe D&C had learned something from Ty Warner, the founder of the company that makes Beanie Babies. So, of course I went to google/wiki … and found this (very condensed) summary of ten marketing strategies employed by Ty:

1. Reasonable Price
“keep Beanie Babies selling at a reasonable price”

2. Keep it Secretive
“when people don’t know what to expect, it becomes more appealing”

3. Surprise People
“unpredictability became entertaining to the mass public”

4. Limit Production
“keeping some Beanie Babies rare would keep people excited”

5. Avoid Large Chain Retailers
“sustain the authentic image of Beanie Babies”

6. Simplicity
“simplicity appealed to everyone because what they saw is what they got”

7. Personification
“Personification made Beanie Babies easier to relate to; every Beanie Baby had a Ty tag with a unique name, birthday, and poem”

8. Variety
“a variety of Beanie Babies attracted everyone because this tactic aims to please everyone’s taste”

9. Retirements
“When Ty would retire a certain Beanie Baby, demand would increase, while supply came to a halt”

10. Risk
“Every previous strategy that Warner developed was a risk, and he succeeded in going against the norm”

Maybe I’m just looking for something where it isn’t (me?), but I think this list applies very well to the Lost marketing strategy as well, intentional or otherwise:

1. Reasonable Price
Hard to argue this one directly for a TV show, but I suppose one could say keeping Lost on network TV (as opposed to say, “The Sopranos” on HBO) would apply. I’m sure D&C had the opportunity to pitch the show to cable networks as well … intentionally or not, Lost on a free broadcast network certainly keeps it at a reasonable price.

2. Keep it Secretive
Wow … this is easy to argue … core to Lost production strategy, and obviously one of their key marketing successes.

3. Surprise People
Ditto number two.

4. Limit Production
I think they wavered on this, but finally learned yet another lesson from Ty … yeah, Beanie Babies are still around, but the “phenomenon” has long passed. By explicitly stating a termination date for the series, D&C have expressly “limited production” … each remaining show will be one in a dwindling set of those yet to come … there will be no “we’ll drag it along until it gets cancelled” for Lost, and doing so keeps viewers willing to tag along for the remainder of the ride, as they know when it will end. Each episode to come now becomes “special’ due to its limited nature.

5. Avoid Large Chain Retailers
This one might seem a bit hard to swallow, being that ABC is essentially a “large chain retailer” among TV networks … they could’ve gone the way of “Monk” or “Burn Notice” and opted for USA network. But that would’ve violated #1 in terms of people w/o cable/dish. I believe the producers HAVE made great efforts to sustain “the authentic image of” Lost, and its merchandise. So, I still see this one.

6. Simplicity
What you see is what you get with Lost … viewers have the option of keeping it simple, or trying to establish elaborate supporting storylines (as many of us here are apt to do, myself included). Yet they have crafted the show in such a way as to allow both points of view to be simultaneously valid … this is neither obviously “Stargate” not “Survivor,” but either perspective still works at some level. Brilliant … and difficult to manage successfully … I think D&C have.

7. Personification
All “important,” and even some essentially “meat sock” characters (see Nikki/Paolo), have back-stories, to personify their characters ... some even have their own “poems” in the form of catch-phrases. Ty would be proud.

8. Variety
One of the biggest casts in TV show history, and most fleshed out to some level at least, such as to find a “target” character for nearly every viewer (see Cecil’s map for evidence!). There’s someone out there for even the most vile characters (ILBxx is living proof!).

9. Retirements
Killing off characters is essentially equivalent to Ty’s “retirement” strategy. Perhaps a few DUIs or unpopular viewer response may facilitate a character’s demise, but “retiring” characters helps keep the show “alive.” This goes hand-in-hand with #8 … if you have a wide variety of characters to begin with, it’s not so hard to kill one off (as opposed to offing Ross on “Friends” or Kramer on “Seinfeld,” for example)

10. Risk
Lost has definitely gone “against the norm” with its production/marketing strategies, and of course there’s a ton of risk involved with that. Looking back to season 1, it’s obvious to me now that D&C were feeling their way, not wanting to get pegged with the avant-garde label, nor the common pabulum of typical prime-time TV … just as Ty strived for Beanie Babies to be neither Steiffs, nor off-the-rack, throw-away toys.

In summary, I think D&C may have consciously employed some of the same marketing strategies pioneered by Ty Warner in the selling/making of Lost, skillfully applied to the television market. As loyal viewers, we may have more to thank “Legs the Frog,” than Steven King/Spielberg et al, for this show’s existence/brilliance.

#86. Posted by: ealgumby at July 10, 2008 9:45 PM

BTW ... yeah, I know, it's Stephen King, not Steven King ... that's what I get for attempting brevity ... obviously not my strong suit anyway.

#87. Posted by: ealgumby at July 10, 2008 10:05 PM

Eighty-eighth!! Whoo-hoo!

Greetings from hiatus hibernation, you all everybody. See you on the other side.

#88. Posted by: Clementine at July 31, 2008 9:45 PM