As doomsday equations, time travel, and causal loops seem increasingly central to the mysteries of Lost, I find myself pondering possible scientific/pseudo-scientific inspirations for the show. In the Schizophrenic Theory of Lost, I suggested that the controversial work of psychologist Julian Jaynes might be one such inspiration (i.e., for mind control aspects). In this post, I introduce another potential source, astrophysicist J. Richard Gott, who has written extensively on all three subjects mentioned at the start. I'll begin by discussing Gott's theories, then explain why they lead me to believe that Desmond and Penny may ultimately turn out to be "Adam" and "Eve" in the Caves.
Gott first captured my fancy back in 1999 when the New Yorker profiled his eerily accurate mathematical predictions of the future. The piece described how Gott used the Copernican Principle (i.e., that there's nothing special about our position in the universe) to calculate the probable closing dates of 44 Broadway and off-Broadway shows with 95% accuracy (more or less). Back in 1969, he used the same method to predict a 75% probability that the Berlin Wall would be gone by 1993. And, perhaps most relevant for Lost, Gott similarly calculated a 95% chance that the human race would go extinct no less than 5,100 years, and no more than 7.8 million years, from now.
That last estimate, while comparatively imprecise, is nonetheless reminiscent of the Valenzetti Equation's prediction of the "number of years and months until humanity extinguishes itself." Gott is, of course, hardly the first to have set a date for our species' extinction. Earlier that same year, in fact, physicist Brandon Carter independently offered a more exact estimate, calculating with 95% confidence that we would go extinct in 9,120 years. What distinguishes Gott from other doomsayers are his deep thoughts on subjects like time travel and causality, which also seem germane given Desmond's trip to the past and the resulting appearance of a mysterious second photo of Penny and himself.
Gott has, for example, written a well-regarded popular science book titled Time Travel in Einstein's Universe. Its main point is that time travel into the future via time dilation is not only theoretically possible but empirically proven (e.g., by experiments involving atomic clocks). Gott also argues that time travel into the past is theoretically possible via warped spacetime geometries (i.e., closed timelike curves) analogizing such trips to an MC Escher drawing or Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe. Gott's hypothetical time machine uses cosmic strings to warp spacetime without destroying the traveler. Much of his book is actually available on Google Print, but minus the chapters on backwards time travel.
That brings me to Gott's embrace of causal loops. He theorizes that a closed timelike curve could explain the creation of the universe, which Gott believes was paradoxically birthed from itself at some later date. You read that correctly -- Gott speculates that the universe was actually its own mother! As the early universe rapidly expanded following the Big Bang, quantum fluctuations created many baby universes like branches from a tree. One of those branches then curved around to form the main trunk. According to Gott, this theory avoids the problem of the universe being created out of nothing and explains time's arrow -- anything traveling backwards in time gets caught in the original loop.
I think a similar chronological loop may account for Adam and Eve's presence in the cave. Before I explain why, recall my prior speculation that the Island is home to an emergent species of psychic post-humans (Homo Superior). It's possible they're descended from the Fourtoes or survivors of the Black Rock's wreck, but I believe that Adam and Eve are the likeliest source given the symbolism of their names. Since Desmond is the one character who we're pretty sure didn't inherit his psychic powers (they resulted from activation of the Fail-Safe) I'm guessing that he'll become Adam. After Penny/Eve finds the Island, the two will somehow travel back in time, giving birth to Homo Superior in the past.
One intriguing clue to this outcome is, as others have noted, the black and white stones in Desmond's apartment during his time travel episode. Another huge hint, courtesy of Doc Jensen of EW.com, is that the letters in "DEPARTMENT OF HEURISTICS AND RESEARCH ON MATERIAL APPLICATIONS" (i.e., DHARMA) include "DESMOND HUME" and "PENELOPE." For me, however, the principal appeal of this scenario is its ironic potential. As I've argued previously, Dharma probably concluded that Homo Superior was a threat to humanity. They tried to limit its reproduction using the electromagnet in Swan Station, which "plugged the dam" by creating an immuno-contraceptive effect on the Island.
The irony is that Dharma's attempt to save humanity by limiting Homo Superior's reproduction in the present will be what creates this species in the past, paving the way for humanity's extinction in the future. (Whoah, dude...) Like a branch that loops around to form the tree, or a snake that swallows its tail, Dharma's preventive measures will cause the very problem that originally spurred their adoption -- not to mention the Initiative itself. When Desmond and Penny's children finally lay their parents' bodies to rest in the Caves 40-50 years in the past, the circle of Lost will be complete at last.
Gott first captured my fancy back in 1999 when the New Yorker profiled his eerily accurate mathematical predictions of the future. The piece described how Gott used the Copernican Principle (i.e., that there's nothing special about our position in the universe) to calculate the probable closing dates of 44 Broadway and off-Broadway shows with 95% accuracy (more or less). Back in 1969, he used the same method to predict a 75% probability that the Berlin Wall would be gone by 1993. And, perhaps most relevant for Lost, Gott similarly calculated a 95% chance that the human race would go extinct no less than 5,100 years, and no more than 7.8 million years, from now.
That last estimate, while comparatively imprecise, is nonetheless reminiscent of the Valenzetti Equation's prediction of the "number of years and months until humanity extinguishes itself." Gott is, of course, hardly the first to have set a date for our species' extinction. Earlier that same year, in fact, physicist Brandon Carter independently offered a more exact estimate, calculating with 95% confidence that we would go extinct in 9,120 years. What distinguishes Gott from other doomsayers are his deep thoughts on subjects like time travel and causality, which also seem germane given Desmond's trip to the past and the resulting appearance of a mysterious second photo of Penny and himself.
Gott has, for example, written a well-regarded popular science book titled Time Travel in Einstein's Universe. Its main point is that time travel into the future via time dilation is not only theoretically possible but empirically proven (e.g., by experiments involving atomic clocks). Gott also argues that time travel into the past is theoretically possible via warped spacetime geometries (i.e., closed timelike curves) analogizing such trips to an MC Escher drawing or Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe. Gott's hypothetical time machine uses cosmic strings to warp spacetime without destroying the traveler. Much of his book is actually available on Google Print, but minus the chapters on backwards time travel.
That brings me to Gott's embrace of causal loops. He theorizes that a closed timelike curve could explain the creation of the universe, which Gott believes was paradoxically birthed from itself at some later date. You read that correctly -- Gott speculates that the universe was actually its own mother! As the early universe rapidly expanded following the Big Bang, quantum fluctuations created many baby universes like branches from a tree. One of those branches then curved around to form the main trunk. According to Gott, this theory avoids the problem of the universe being created out of nothing and explains time's arrow -- anything traveling backwards in time gets caught in the original loop.
I think a similar chronological loop may account for Adam and Eve's presence in the cave. Before I explain why, recall my prior speculation that the Island is home to an emergent species of psychic post-humans (Homo Superior). It's possible they're descended from the Fourtoes or survivors of the Black Rock's wreck, but I believe that Adam and Eve are the likeliest source given the symbolism of their names. Since Desmond is the one character who we're pretty sure didn't inherit his psychic powers (they resulted from activation of the Fail-Safe) I'm guessing that he'll become Adam. After Penny/Eve finds the Island, the two will somehow travel back in time, giving birth to Homo Superior in the past.
One intriguing clue to this outcome is, as others have noted, the black and white stones in Desmond's apartment during his time travel episode. Another huge hint, courtesy of Doc Jensen of EW.com, is that the letters in "DEPARTMENT OF HEURISTICS AND RESEARCH ON MATERIAL APPLICATIONS" (i.e., DHARMA) include "DESMOND HUME" and "PENELOPE." For me, however, the principal appeal of this scenario is its ironic potential. As I've argued previously, Dharma probably concluded that Homo Superior was a threat to humanity. They tried to limit its reproduction using the electromagnet in Swan Station, which "plugged the dam" by creating an immuno-contraceptive effect on the Island.
The irony is that Dharma's attempt to save humanity by limiting Homo Superior's reproduction in the present will be what creates this species in the past, paving the way for humanity's extinction in the future. (Whoah, dude...) Like a branch that loops around to form the tree, or a snake that swallows its tail, Dharma's preventive measures will cause the very problem that originally spurred their adoption -- not to mention the Initiative itself. When Desmond and Penny's children finally lay their parents' bodies to rest in the Caves 40-50 years in the past, the circle of Lost will be complete at last.
5 comments:
While I don't like the idea of Desmond dying ... silly as that sounds ... your speculation makes perfect sense and I can see how this could be possible. Along with the simple explanations are the 'hints' left to us by the writers and we know that those little clues are not there for nothing.
But my question is this: If stopping the reproduction of Homo Superior actually causes them to begin ... then Desmond is sadly correct in believing that the universe self-corrects and while it make take a side road, eventually it still ends up where it was originally planned to end up. Predestination is something that I cannot accept. But for the show, I'll concede. ;)
Thanks for a VERY interesting article!
LOST Desmond.com
Is this, by some chance, the jbdean from the fuselage? Regardless, thanks and hello!
I know what you mean about predestination and determinism being...well, a little depressing. A couple of things to consider, since this just happens to be a favorite topic of mine. First, I suspect that for Desmond, the decision to play the role assigned to him will be just that -- his decision. As a poster named Crimson Rabbit reminds me, the same is true of Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen, whose God-like abilities give him the power to change fate. Ultimately, however, he decides not to do so...
Second, for the rest of us, determinism doesn't necessarily mean the end of freedom, just its redefinition. If you think about it, a truly "free" act (i.e., one with no prior cause) is essentially random. So some philosophers think of a "free" act not as one that's undetermined, but "free" in the sense that I could hypothetically have done otherwise if I had chosen to do otherwise -- i.e., no one would have tried to stop me. There's actually a pretty decent discussion of this question in terms of quantum mechanics in Waking Life...
PS: The link you provided doesn't seem to work...
Hello, yes, I'm another guy who found you via Doc Jensen. I printed out your ENTIRE blog while on the night shift at the graphics plant I work at. Fascinating work and it was interesting reading. Thanks for making it so very difficult to think, sir.
Wayne: LOL! As a teacher of mine once noted, some people are simplifiers and others complexifiers. I think I fall into the latter category...
Post a Comment