That's a very good point Kevin. I'm not too sure whether I have the answer to that. The man you are talking about is called Richard Alpert. You are right he does not seemed to have aged and I don't know whether the island stops the ageing process when you reach a certain age which sounds like a crazy theory. What I am interested in the most is about why was Richard so interested in Ben when he said he could see his dead mother. Is it a special gift to see dead people and does this make someone automatically connected with the island? Is that the reason why he became the leader??? If so Jack saw his dead father does that make him special? And not to mention Rose as she said the island healed her as well just like Locke.

I guess Kevin that it is just an answer that we have to wait for.

Thanks for the post

now you mention it when Ben requested certian peolpe to be caught in season 1 it was all people that have seen people on the island, hurley saw his bald friend the the mental home, jack saw his father, kate saw a pony and so did sawyer i believe. Maybe you are on to something here??