Lost

So I was talking to Alec last night and had the question "what is electricity, exactly"? Decided to look it up on Wikipedia and came across the name of a 19th century scientist who discovered a lot of stuff about electricity and electromagnetism. Named Michael Faraday. So if you're a Lost fan, you know that the physicist on the show is named Daniel Faraday. You also know that he did research about time travel. And that the island has strange properties and is currently in flux, traveling through time. Well, apparently, what is called Faraday's Law is a law about electricity that describes two different phenomena (which is apparently unique in physics or science). Anyhow, this Law was key in Albert Einstein developing his theory of special relativity. And one of the phenomena described is when a magnet travels through a coil and causes electricity to occur in the coil as it passes through (I think I've described it correctly). So, is the island a giant electromagnet? I know this is one theory that people suggested early on in the show (around when the hatch stuff was all happening).

The word for electricity comes from the Greek word for amber. This is something that the ancients discovered created electricity when rubbed. I think this lends credence to my idea that the island is the lost island of Atlantis, and it is made of amber! The Others would be either original Atlantians or descendents. It would explain the temple (not the 4 toes on the giant statue, but the temple, at least). The giant electromagnet theory, if you read about Michael Faraday's discoveries and Law, explains why the island disappears when it travels through time. It also explains why the wheel that Ben and Locke turn to move the island is necessary (but I don't remember what I read well enough to explain it). Of course, knowing that Daniel Faraday's name comes from this important scientist, would suggest that Eloise Hawking, his mother and also a scientist, gets her name from Stephen Hawking, who is famous for his work on black holes. Haven't researched that yet. But basically, if you get too close to a black hole, you will be pulled into it, even just light, and be unable to escape because its pull is so strong. If the island is a type of black hole, then that explains why the plane crashed and why Desmond couldn't leave the island in his boat. It does not explain why it is possible to leave the island by submarine or helicopter or by using the right bearing when in a boat. But it is possible for the island to be in a black hole (thus, how Atlantis disappeared in the first place, though, not quite how Atlantis moved from Europe to the Pacific, though it would explain the slave ship, which should have been in the Atlantic, not the Pacific).

A couple of different theories, but I think they could both be possible and are not mutually exclusive. Because the black hole would be the coil that the electromagnet (the island) is passing through.

And a random question. Why was the Dharma initiative experimenting with polar bears? Why not an animal or bear that is easier to come by, not so big or dangerous, and makes more sense in a non-artic environment? I immediately think, well, since polar bears are found in the Arctic which is near the North Pole, which deals with the magnetic properties of the earth, do they exhibit or have something unique about them that would be revealed when brought away from the pole? If so, what would that be?

I think it's also relevant that Michael Faraday was a very religious man and belonged to a small sect (forget the name now, but something like Sandemian or something). Since the island seems to have a spiritual power besides all the science stuff going on (like Locke and Rose being healed, the apparitions of dead people, etc). I'm curious about that part of the island, too.

Anyhow. Let me know your thoughts.

Movie Line Quiz

Ok, so I got this idea from Beth. Here are the rules:

- Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
- Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie (one-liners are best).
- Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
- Strike out the quote when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
- NO cheating. If you don't know any of them, that's just too bad!

(that's if you want to do this on your own blog)

Here are mine. Post your guess and if you're right, you'll see your name beside the line from the movie!

1. If you are fighting, stop fighting. If you are marching, stop marching. Come back to me. Come back to me is my request. Cold Mountain - Beth guessed this

2. I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow. Gone With the Wind - Andy

3. Is it possible - or could I have just imagined it - have my children by any chance been climbing trees today? Sound of Music - Beth

4. We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly. Aliens - nobody got it

5. Damn that Texan - when you need him, he's dead.
I ain't dead yet, you bushwhacker. Hang on. True Grit - Beth

6. You want to take me to dinner in *Havana, Cuba?* Guys and Dolls - no one got it

7. Jerry: Oh, you don't understand, Osgood! Ehhhh... I'm a man.
Osgood: Well, nobody's perfect. Some Like it Hot - Paula

8. Lisa: The last thing Mrs. Thorwald would leave behind would be her wedding ring. Stella, do you ever leave yours at home?
Stella: The only way somebody would get that would be to chop off my - finger. Let's go down to the garden and find out what's buried there.
Lisa: Why not? I always wanted to meet Mrs. Thorwald. Rear Window ~ Beth

9. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. The Empire Strikes Back - Andy

10. ADRIAN! Rocky - Andy

11. You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley. On the Waterfront - nobody guessed it

12. Edward: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back. Pretty Woman - Beth

13. Her: I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. Well, I meant it, but I was so stupid that I didn't mean what I meant... After all, it's only a diary. Everyone knows diaries are just... full of crap.
Him: Yes, I know that. I was just buying you a new one. Bridget Jones Diary - Beth

14. You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did. If he weren't up there now... I don't think it would be snowing. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it. Edward Scissorhands - Beth