(4/12, with 4/16 updates....) Psychic Kids On The Block: New Resonance Requirements For Retuning The World Jeff "Doc" Jensen threw down the theoretical gauntlet in his recent column "Mind Tricks Are For Kids?" In this column, Doc notes that he really hasn't "seen any theory born out of a deep interface with the DHARMA Initiative mythos (i.e., how do psychic kids change the equation of the Numbers), or out of a deep interface with the essential themes of the show itself" (see Endnote 1). Doc suggests that we focus our psychic kids theories through considering such important Lost themes as: social responsibility, the utopian ideal of making the world a better place, the Omega Point (see Endnote 2), and through a reframing of Charlie's question "where are we?" to "WHO are we?" The key to understanding how the psychic kids fit into this-- including Walt, Aaron, Sun's unborn child-- is to ground the discussion in the HEMA Theory focus on the relationships among thought (Heuristics), Energy, and Material Applications. The prior pages on this site have helped lay the groundwork for my "Retuning The World" Theory which follows, below.... 1. NIKOLA TESLA ILLUMINATES THE 'DARK CITY' OF ALEX PROYAS: 'RETUNING' THE WORLD- "If ever we ascertain at what period the earth's charge, when disturbed, oscillates, we shall know a fact, possibly of the greatest importance to the welfare of the human race." Nikola Tesla, 1893. If there ever was a genius inventor clearly ahead of his time, it would have to be Nikola Tesla. We are still playing 'catch-up' with regard to understanding and applying the full breadth and depth of his mind-boggling ideas (see Endnote 3). Interestingly enough, as vividly depicted in the recent movie "The Prestige" (see Endnote 4), Tesla chose to locate his laboratory in a strongly geomagnetic location: Colorado Springs. How intriguing to consider that Lost, too, is grounded in a similarly charged locale: an island with unique, strong electromagnetic properties. This is no coincidence.... We know that the DHARMA Initiative was conducting a range of experiments on the island in an attempt to change one of the variables in the Valenzetti Equation. Per my prior HEMA Theory pages, one focus of the DHARMA experiments was to better understand how psychic power operates, especially when this power is applied in, and augmented through, the presence of a strong electromagnetic field. A second focus was to learn how it may be possible to imbue non-psychics with psychic abilities, and to amplify the abilities of existing psychics. Here is where the Others' pronounced fascination with babies in general, and with Walt's abilities and biological father in particular, come into play. The Others are continuing the DHARMA agenda to explore how it may be possible to confer and enhance psychic powers, through: 1. Isolating genes associated with psychic abilities (hence the blood taking and testing); 2. Genetic engineering via gene therapy (not just for adapting polar bears to warm climates, but also for switching on latent psychic abilities and augmenting pre-existing abilities); 3. Leveraging the island's electromagnetic field to focus and amplify psychic abilities; and 4. Building on work by Tesla and others, to develop DEVICES to further channel and enhance psychic abilities. (This is, in part, what Ben referred to when he told Juliet about the amazing things she would see on the island.... And when Ben told Locke about the box that materializes whatever one wishes....) All of this still begs some key questions: To what ultimate ends were the DHARMA psychic experiments (as well as the continuing work by the Others) focused? And why the fascination with psychic kids? One answer is that the kids may be needed help to maintain the integrity of the fundamental harmonic electromagnetic oscillations which comprise and define the 'resonantial' spatiotemporal existence of our cherished planet. In brief, the kids 'got rhythm' in a very literal sense: they possess the psychic ability to influence the electromagnetic 'rhythms' underlying all of nature and the world. So yes, the psychic kids are an absolutely crucial part of the DHARMA agenda. This will all come into play when it is revealed in a subsequent Lost episode that an event will significantly compromise the integrity of the earth's electromagnetic field in general, and its defining harmonic electromagnetic oscillations in particular. "Tesla created his own original theory of the world on the basis of the theory of acoustic resonators by Helmoholz and modified ether model by lord Kelvin. This theory gave outstanding results in his experiments. The initial axiom of his theory was that universal energy of one physical system is based on the laws of resonance of vibrations, on the coincidence of oscillations of a system’s parts... Tesla’s experiments mainly consisted in ascertaining the joint properties of physical systems, and how they may be brought into resonance. Evidence suggests his complex electromagnetic oscillator, Wardenclyffe Tower (built at Long Island near New York in 1901-1905) was solely based on resonance. He could make simultaneous vibrations in the ionosphere and the globe by means of this tower... Wave Processes In Earth’s Ionosphere; in popular explanation, this discovery means that the Earth's field reacts on electrical vibrations of a given frequency in the same way as a tuning fork resonates with a certain length of a soundwave. These electrical vibrations can have a strong influence on the Earth's magnetic field. Such resonant effects can be used by different ways to change the universal energy system." We know that overpopulation is a factor, and that Jeff Jensen's thoughts about the potential role of electromagnetism-- through ultraviolet germicidal irradiation-- in producing focused sterility, weeding out the undesirables, may indeed turn out to be true. In this case, the fascination with blood testing, genetics, and gene therapy might also help DHARMA/the Others to target undesirables, if it turns out to be possible to 'tag' said undesirables through use of some genetic markers. My proposal here is that another key factor concerning the end of humankind is a major, cataclysmic event which will alter the earth's electromagnetic field and, more importantly, its defining harmonic electromagnetic oscillations.... The psychic kids will be needed to serve as critical 'components' in a super-charged psychic battery/device which will be used to 'retune' the earth's harmonic oscillations, restoring them to their prior integrity, thereby ensuring our continued existence. This is directly analogous to the 'tuning' process employed by the Strangers (who also, not so coincidentally, have strong psychokinetic powers) in Alex Proyas' fascinating movie Dark City. **** (For some additional intriguing 'coincidences' between Lost and Dark City, please see Endnote 5). **** Importantly, the kids will serve multiple roles in the retuning device, built by DHARMA and located in a hidden part of the DHARMA facilities, on the island. This device builds on Tesla's ideas, especially that of a magnifying transmitter, a high power harmonic oscillator (see Endnote 6). But it goes beyond Tesla by tapping the power of multiple psychics, channeling and amplifying the effects of this transmitter, to 'retune' the harmonic electromagnetic oscillations defining our existence on this planet. In short, this is analogous to a group of talented jazz professionals immersed in an engaging collective jam session, only instead of musical notes, the group of psychics will be jamming on each other's thoughts and HEMAtic abilities to retune harmonic electromagnetic oscillations, restoring the 'lost' rhythm to the earth.... Yes, this device is my candidate for how it may be possible to achieve the Omega Point (see Endnote 2) mentioned by Jeff Jensen in a recent column. I would definitely not be surprised to see Walt and other psychic kids strapped together, into a DHARMA device, to help achieve an evolution in complexity-consciousness that results when multiple psychics are connected through a Tesla-derived device, located in and leveraging the energy of the island's powerful electromagnetic field, aimed at 'retuning' the earth following a cataclysmic event, restoring the integrity of the fundamental electromagnetic harmonics underlying our very existence on this planet. And, if this 'Retuning the World' Theory seems a bit far-fetched, recall from the "HEMA Science" page that: "As it turns out, the electromagnetic force is the one responsible for practically all the phenomena encountered in daily life, with the exception of gravity. Roughly speaking, all the forces involved in interactions between atoms can be traced to the electromagnetic force acting on the electrically charged protons and electrons inside the atoms. This includes the forces we experience in "pushing" or "pulling" ordinary material objects, which come from the intermolecular forces between the individual molecules in our bodies and those in the objects. It also includes all forms of chemical phenomena, which arise from interactions between electron orbitals. According to modern electromagnetic theory, electromagnetic forces are mediated by the transfer of virtual photons." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic) So perhaps it is not too much of a stretch, after all, to suggest that DHARMA may have been involved in a project aimed at developing a device to channel psychic powers through the island's electromagnetic field, to 'retune' or restore the integrity of the earth's harmonic electromagnetic oscillations. [Note: A more chilling possibility is identified below, namely, an application aimed at identifying and 'disrupting' or 'retuning' specific individuals in a targeted manner on a global scale, an entire class of persons efficiently and effectively identified through the use of genetic tags or markers. Did DHARMA succeed in identifying genetic codes associated with undesirable characteristics-- traits deleterious to the continued existence of the species on the planet-- as a means of 'tagging' and altering these individuals, not unlike Professor Xavier's ability to identify classes of people through use of the CEREBRO device, in the movie X-Men 2?] 2. WHY THE PSYCHIC KIDS? Why psychic kids? Why not adults? The fascination with psychic kids derives, in no small part, from the well-documented plasticity of their minds.... From a developmental standpoint, kids may simply be better-equipped to serve: (1) as test subjects in the DHARMA/Others experiments, (2) as guinea pigs in gene therapy trials to confer and boost psychic powers, (3) as students involved in a series of psi-boosting learning activities, and (4) as active and vital 'components' in a Dharma-built, Tesla-derived Omega Point device aimed at helping to save the world. In terms of the latter, the relative plasticity of children's minds may play a crucial and necessary role in realizing the full power of an Omega Point device; cognitive plasticity, including a pronounced ability to form new neural connections, will help them to work together to collaboratively learn and grow in complexity-consciousness, developing the proper 'software' or 'wetware' through which to realize the Omega Point dream, enabling them to collectively function as a super-psychic meta-entity capable of saving the planet from doom and destruction, through channeling thought (Heuristics) and leveraging Energy, to achieve the Material Applications (HEMA). Per Jeff Jensen's suggestion, will one form of 'Material Application' involve the selective sterilization of persons deemed to be 'undesirable,' achieved by channeling the power of psychic kids through a Tesla-derived Omega Point device that leverages the island's unique electromagnetic properties, targeting undesirables tagged by specific genetic markers, not unlike Professor Xavier using the "CEREBRO" device to channel and amplify his ability to identify mutants and non-mutants (see Endnote 7)? 3. OMEGA MAN, WOMAN, CHILD, AND BEYOND- And how interesting, indeed, to find that the Marvel Universe includes beings called "Omega-Level Mutants": "Omega-level mutant is a fictional designation for a certain powerful class of super-powered individuals in the Marvel Comics universe to indicate mutants with the ability (or potential) to transcend and exist beyond the boundaries of physical existence, as beings of pure thought. Immortality is also a possibility, but not a requirement. Vast psionic abilities, such as being able to control matter and energy on the sub-molecular scale, as well as having a body capable of withstanding such power levels without external help, also seem to be common factors.... The term was originally coined for the mutants who pose the greatest threat, but Professor X optimistically changed the definition for those with unlimited potential in their powers. The limited series X-Men: Forever spoke of how Template:Homo sapiens 2007, believed to be what all humanity will eventually become. Whether this is the same as the "Destiny Force" that the Supreme Intelligence of the Kree claims all humanity has the evolutionary potential to reach, is uncertain. Those with Omega (the last) potential are the ones closest to reaching this final stage of evolution. Whether their potential results in turning themselves into Phoenixes (like Jean Grey and Quentin Quire have), or their descendants doing so, within Omega-level mutants lies the potential to bring about the end." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-level_mutant) Very, very interesting, indeed! These "Omega-Level Mutants," with their "vast psionic abilities" to control matter and energy sound pretty HEMAtic, to me.... Hmmmm.... Will an Omega Point device, including multiple psychics as components, be used to 'retune' the harmonic electromagnetic oscillations defining our existence on the planet, restoring the integrity of our existence in the wake of some cataclysmic event producing a significant disturbance in the 'force'? Copyright 4/12/07 and 4/16/07 by Dr. Todd J. Hostager ------------------------------------------------- ENDNOTES: 1. In this regard, please see Jeff "Doc" Jensen's superb recent column: 2. The Omega Point is a fascinating concept invoked by Doc Jensen in the column found through the link in Endnote 1. Here is the Wikipedia information on that concept: Please note that what I am proposing is NOT what is known as a "technological singularity:" "Transhumanists argue on the basis of the accelerating technological development inherent in The Law of Accelerating Returns, that within 20-140 years into the future we will arrive at what Vernor Vinge called a technological singularity or "prediction wall" in which humans will be semi-aware components of a computerised social structure of such complexity that no one person or group of persons can understand more than a tiny fraction of the whole. They believe we will soon enter a time in which we must eventually make the transition to a runaway positive feedback loop" in high-level autonomous machine computation. The result is that our technological and computational tools eventually completely surpass human capacities. Note that this is completely different from Teilhard de Chardin's notion of Omega Point, which involves the convergence of different evolving threads of consciousness into a final point." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_point) Again, my idea for a DHARMA-built, Tesla-derived Omega Point device (employing psychics) is NOT a technological singularity; instead, I am proposing one illustration of how technology may be applied in the service of focusing and amplifying collective consciousness, toward a realization of the Omega Point. 3. For glimpses of the breadth and depth of Nikola Tesla's genius, please see: 4. "The Prestige" is another great movie by Christopher Nolan, director of "Batman Begins," "Insomnia," and "Memento": 5. Dark City is an intriguing movie by Alex Proyas, involving themes eerily similar to some key Lost elements: * Psychokinesis. In addition to examples found in prior Lost episodes, this theme continues to be reinforced through recurrent, overt references to Stephen King's novel "Carrie," including the 4/11/07 episode in which (1) Ben noted he had just watched the movie version at the behest of Juliet, (2) Juliet was shown holding a book with "Stephen King" prominently displayed on the cover, and (3) Ben made a comment about the book club, which had been reading "Carrie." (Please see the "HEMA Carrie" page, too....) * Like the Flight 815 survivors who awakened to find themselves "Strangers in a Strange Land," the central character in Dark City abruptly awakens, to find himself thrust into a strange new land: "John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) wakes in a hotel bathtub, having lost his memory. He receives a phone call from Dr. Daniel Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) urging him to leave the hotel immediately. According to Schreber, a group of men called the Strangers is coming for him. Murdoch escapes, and shortly afterwards, finds out his name and that he has a wife named Emma (Jennifer Connelly). Unfortunately, he also finds out that he is wanted for a string of serial killings, of which he has no memory." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_City) * Like the Others in Lost, the Strangers in Dark City are engaged in manipulation to obtain something they lack, from the newcomer(s). What do the Strangers lack? What is the purpose of the Dark City, and how similar is this purpose to the island in Lost? "....the city is a vast experiment conducted by the alien Strangers, designed to reveal an aspect of humans that the Strangers lack and need to survive (hinted at being the nature of the human soul). The Strangers are in fact a dying race of alien parasites, who use human corpses as vessels. In their experiments, they put the entire city to sleep and, with Schreber's help, manipulate the memories of the citizens in an attempt to learn about nature and nurture." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_City) * Through their manipulations, the Others have examined and revealed the 'plastic', pliable nature of human interaction, social relations, meaning (etc.) From the perspective of my HEMA Theory, the notions of 'plasticity' and social construction may be applied to the physical/material world as well, by channeling thoughts (Heuristics) through the island's Energy field, thereby molding and manipulating the physical world (Material Applications.) This is one of the central purposes behind DHARMA's exploring and developing psychic powers.... to build a device for channeling the thoughts of psychics through the island's electromagnetic field, amplified and altered by a Tesla-derived device, ultimately focused on influencing the larger electromagnetic field, the harmonic electromagnetic oscillations defining our existence on earth, and perhaps even effecting changes in configurations of matter (viz., fully Material Applications). Interestingly enough, Dark City provides us with a graphic depiction of psychokinetic beings who collaboratively focus their abilities through a device, to 'tune' the physical configuration of the city each time the bell tolls at midnight: "As he is pursued by the Strangers, Murdoch sees the plastic nature of the city. At midnight, while everyone else is unconscious, the Strangers use their collective power to alter the very landscape; growing buildings out of the ground while dissolving other buildings out of existence, transforming slum tenements into mansions and vice versa, and injecting some of the citizens with fresh new memories, often transforming them into entirely different people." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_City) This is one tangible depiction of what might be possible through an Omega Point device involving multiple psychics, leveraging the island's electromagnetic field to influence the harmonic electromagnetic oscillations that define and undergird our 'material' existence on earth.... Again, the basic idea is that some cataclysmic event may be revealed in a subsequent Lost episode as having upset or disturbed the planet's electromagnetic field and oscillations, requiring the use of the Omega Point device to reset or 'retune' the harmonics, not unlike the Strangers 'tuning' the Dark City at midnight. 6. For more information on Nikola Tesla's "magnifying transmitter," please see: 7. For more information on one popular precedent for using a device to channel and amplify psychic abilities, please see the following information on the Professor Xavier character in the X-Men series: |