I just wanted to get the ball rolling with theories, so here goes....
Thomas More coined the word "utopia," a name he gave to an ideal, imaginary island nation whose political system he described in a book published in 1516. The book, written in Latin, is a frame narrative primarily depicting a fictional island society and its religious, social and political customs. The name of the place, Utopia, is derived from the Greek words ou ("not") and topos ("place"), meaning the name of the island is literally "no place." It also contains a pun, however, because the letter "u" could also theoretically be derived from the Greek eu ("good"). One interpretation holds that this suggests that while Utopia might be some sort of perfected society, it is ultimately unreachable.
On the other hand, a dystopia is a fictional society that is usually seen as the antithesis of an utopia. A dystopia is usually characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government, or some other kind of oppressive social control.
So I think that the island was started as a Utopian society, but has becom a dystopian society.
It also makes me think of the movie "The Village". They tried to have a perfect society, but ultimately crime and death seeped in and they found that no matter what outside influences were removed, it is impossible to have that perfect society.
So maybe Alvar Hanso is still trying to have the Utopian society because he is not one to give up on things. He has been working on the life extension program probably because he wants to try to live forever and be the "God" of this Utopian Island Nation.
I like the idea of the attempt at a utopia. Makes sense. I think it could be what everything that is being done on the island, and through all Hanso groups. They are searching for the "Golden Egg" for life and happiness.
I just thought as I was re-reading this. What if they had already gotten the "Perfect" society, but then "The accident" (the one on the oreintation film) happened, and the Others are all that's left of that? Now they are trying to recreate it with what options they have available to them?
I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old, the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold." "If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."
snootch2danootch wrote: I like the idea of the attempt at a utopia. Makes sense. I think it could be what everything that is being done on the island, and through all Hanso groups. They are searching for the "Golden Egg" for life and happiness.
wouldn't this make them 'good'??? wouldn't this negate the thoughts of torturing and interrogating the LOSTies??? in a perfect society, in a happy society what is needed?? trust?? friendship?? loyalty??? this cannot be gained thru things like interrogation and torture... because if you feel friendship and loyalty and trust, you will not lie or be untrue... perhaps all the others want, if they make a Utopian society, is to understand and be friends and to help the LOSTies... any thoughts of harming strangers has got to be foreign in the perfect world....
yet, don't we paint the others as a threat... those who will harm our LOSTies....
As far as the interogating goes. The Others haven't done that yet. They played with Michael only to help get the people they wanted. So yes they used deception, and lied, but it's known alot of times that people or groups believe that small things that go against the main beliefs they have are OK if it's in the interest of the "Greater Good". As for them being "Evil" I'm thinking that's the idea that the writers have wanted to plant into our heads so when the time comes we are shocked to find out that they were indeed the "good" ones after all.
Ok, what about when Ethan hung Charlie? When what's his face broke Nathans neck? You don't go around killing people just because you think they are not good people. These are disturbed people here.
Also, when Walt said they're not what they seem ... it didn't seem like he was too happy about it.
Alot of fanatical groups will go to extremes to protect their secrets. So the hanging, and the neck...those were in protection of the group as a whole. I mean it was more than likely believed that it was done as I said for the "greater good" of the comunity. As for the Walt statement...He could very well have been refering to what we know already in the fact that they aren't actually the lowly hillbilly style people they appear to be. More that they are more than likely a group of inteligent people who are striving to create or re0-create the "perfect society.
Ok, but the fact that they don't live like hillbillies would not have made him afraid and nervous. He's telling Michael don't listen to them, they're not what they seem.
Jeff'ry Dauhmer thought eating people was good - was it?
You make a good point on the Walt thing. I'll have to think on that a bit.
As for Mr. J.D. eating folks...I have to say I've heard it tastes like chicken...JK...I get what you mean. It's the believers of something that can actually make it worse. They misinterpet something, and believe wholeheartedly that they are right.
Ya. See my take is, they mean it when they say "good" But I think somewhere in there the interpretation of "good" got a little twisted. Why would Alex feel sorry for people and try to helpthem escape if the others were really good people?
I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old, the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold." "If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."
in a perfect society... utopia... the best of the best... murder is an unthinkable act... good people don't kill.... people in general don't need to be killed... because in utopia all needs are met by all people... therer is no need for secrets or want and there is no need...
I think in general that's why Utopia hasn't ever worked. Because it's impossible for humans to avoid being deceptive or for one person out of hundreds not to get jealous...those things will chip away at any society. So they may well be trying to make a better place, but it'll crumble in on itself due to human nature.
I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old, the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold." "If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."
I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old, the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold." "If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."
I have Daniel on the brain ... I MEANT Danielle! 
