What is Ben's Constant? - Page 2

Daniel says," Every equation needs stability; it's called a constant." He also tells Desmond he needs an anchor, something familiar in both times. That was Minkowski's ultimate doom - he either didn't have a constant because he wasn't expecting the electromagnetism of the island to send him travelling, or he couldn't make contact with his constant because he was bound to the bed in the infirmary. Minkowski points out to Ray (the doctor on the freighter) that it's "happening to him too (Desmond) and that it's going to happen to all of us once we start heading for that island." Then Ray gives him that shot during which Minkowski is hollering "Nothing can stop it Ray, nothing can stop it." We know Penny is Desmond's constant and Desmond is Faraday's constant. I can't find where in the show is specifically says that only those exposed to high levels of radiation or electromagnetism need a constant- so if Ben needs a constant, an anchor, and it has to be something you really care about that will be in both time frames that you can also make contact with -I would guess it is either the island itself, that Annie doll, or Richard Alpert (he's the closest thing Ben has to a friend).

Just a side note on the bearings: Ben sent Michael and Walt off on a bearing of 325, but Faraday's bearing (and the one found of Eko's stick by Locke) is 305.

Quote:

Originally Posted by queenbeesteph

Just a side note on the bearings: Ben sent Michael and Walt off on a bearing of 325, but Faraday's bearing (and the one found of Eko's stick by Locke) is 305.

Wow, I totally forgot about Eko's stick.. Would love to see some photo of that (many writings on it I'm hoping would make more sense by now).. But where was the bearing given to Michael & Walt mentioned? I'm lost in all these details again..

Great side note queenbeesteph

GALE: I'm not happy about the arrangement that was made with you Michael, but we got more than we bargained for when Walt joined us, so I suppose this is what's best. And you let me go, set me free—you lived up to your word. We live up to our word, too. Do you know how to drive a boat?

MICHAEL: Yeah, I can drive a boat.

GALE: Good, then you're going to take this boat and follow a compass bearing of 325, and if you do that exactly, you and your son will find rescue.

MICHAEL: That's it? I follow the bearing and me and my son get rescued?

GALE: Yes.

MICHAEL: How do you know I won't tell people about where I was?

GALE: Maybe you will, maybe you won't. But it won't matter. Once you leave, you'll never be able to get back here. And my hunch is you won't say a word to anybody because if you do, people will find out what you did to get your son back.

(Lostpedia transcript for "Live Together; Die Alone"

Good point- it could be the doll, Daniel said the constant didnt have to be a person and Ben holds on to that doll to the day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by queenbeesteph

I can't find where in the show is specifically says that only those exposed to high levels of radiation or electromagnetism need a constant-.

I think this is what everyone is referring to:

JACK: Hello?
SAYID: Jack, it's Sayid. I'm on the freighter.
JACK: Are you okay? Where the hell have you been?
SAYID: Something happened during their flight, and now Desmond's in their sick bay.
JACK: Hold on, hold on, hold on. Alright, now you're on speaker.
SAYID: On the helicopter, something happened to Desmond. He doesn't appear to recognize me or know where he is.
JACK: (to Dan) Side-effects?
DAN: Well, your friend, Desmond. Has he recently been exposed to high levels of radiation or electromagnetism?
[JACK and JULIET have no idea.]
DAN: Okay, look. Uh, we don't know why, but coming to and going from the island, some people can get a little...confused.
JULIET: So, what, is this amnesia?
DAN: No, this is not amnesia.

Right! I know the guys that are exposed to radiation or electromagnetism need a constant, what I don't know is can you time jump without radiation or electromagnetic exposure? And if you can time jump sans radiation/EM, then do you need a constant? Or do ONLY the people who time jump via radiation/EM have to have a constant?

Sorry I didn't make myself very clear in that last statement.

I think Ben wants a constant around just in case. After all, growing up on the island, he has probably been exposed to higher levels of electromagnetism than other people, it being an anomaly. That being given, maybe Juliette is his constant, and why he is so attached to her, even in an obsessive manner. Earlier, Juliette's shrink says, "of course [he likes you]. You look just like her." I think this "her" is his first girlfriend, who has died, and now only Juliette bears enough resemblance to act as a constant to Ben. What do you all think?