Changes: Fan theories

Revision as of 15:23, 19 March 2006

4 8 15 16 23 42

During the second season of LOST it was revealed that the numbers are the code that must be entered into the computer located inside The Hatch every 108 minutes (By the way 4 + 8 + 15 + 16 + 23 + 42 = 108). Entering the numbers resets the countdown timer to 108 minutes. It is not explained to viewers what is to occur if the numbers are not typed in, except it is believed to be bad.

CounterZeroHieroglyphic — Bunker Hieroglyphics

If an individual does not push the button in time, the numbers flip to a series of glyphs . While the numeric sequence is flipping into these icons, an individual can still finish typing in the numbers, press execute, and return the counter to 108 minutes.

Note that the mysterious project the hatch was built for is called "The Dharma Initiative". The word "Dharma" means "moral duty", and the number 108 is very important in Buddhist mythology. To many Buddhists, there are 108 sins (or "defilements" of mankind. It is for this reason that New Year's celebrations, such as those in Japan, feature ringing a bell 108 times as well as one possible reason most Buddhist prayer beads (mala) have 108 individual beads.

Facts

The numbers are 4 8 15 16 23 42.
The numbers total 108 when added together.
The numbers are used to reset the Countdown Timer inside The Hatch.
The crew in The Swan was supposed to be replaced every 540 days (108 x 5), Which means that each crew will enter the numbers at least 7200 times.

Appearances

All numbers together

On the hatch
On the medicine that Desmond injects into his arm
On the vial that Claire was injected with in the Medical Station
In the mental ward
sees them at the airport on the team jersey of a girls football (soccer) team
Hurley rides past 6 players of a girls soccer team in the airport, each uniform has one of the numbers.
When Hurley's car broke down they showed the speedometer (in KPH) go from 16 to 15 to 8 to 4. The dashboard also displayed a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius and 42 km on the odometer.
Hurley- Wins the lottery using the numbers
Danielle- the numbers led her to the island
Jack's badge number was all the numbers.
Danielle's notes contained the numbers written 7 times, along with a mathematical formula.

Single Numbers

each number has its own article with more detailed information on where it appears in the show (and outside the show):

4 + 8 + 15 + 16 + 23 + 42 = 108

Combos

A common combination with a separate article is 815 (or 0815)

48 plane crash surviors. (4 & 8)
(If Jack is including the pilot and Ethan when he says it, it would mean that there are 46=4+42 survivors in the fuselage; note that 4 of them are dead before the exodus episodes in season one: the marshall, Joanna, Scott and Boone; leads to 42 survivors)
Boone's shirt with the Chinese symbols stood for 84. (4 & 8)
DriveSHAFT is 234 on the juke box. (23 & 4)
In the Dharma Initiative movie the number 540 is mentioned. (108x5)
The real number of the intelligence tape Sayid saw was 23108-42
The flags on Locke's bedside table. One is the Spanish Cross of Burgundy (something like that) which was used in the year 1516

Please keep in mind if you start adding and subtracting the numbers you can make up almost any theory that you want. That said, some examples:

Boone's accident is in episode 19 (42-23)
Boone dies in the 20th episode (16+4), Claires's Baby is born in the same episode

Interesting tidbit on the numbers as written on Danielle's papers.

4 8 15 16 23 42

8 is 8th number counting in standard reading format. 15 is 15th, 16 is 16th, 23 is 23rd and 42 is 42nd. If only the 4 was a 1 or 7 this would work with all the numbers.

Occurences outside of the show

At least some of the numbers are well known as special numbers even before this show. It is likely that at least some of them were used in the show for that reason:

08/15 is a german saying for "ordinary" or "boring", also used as a placeholder on demonstration objects
08/15 was the model number of the German standard rifle during WW I
4, 8, 16 are binary numbers with only one "1".
23 is in several conspiracy theories the number of the "Illuminati" (see also Mindfuck). It is claimed to appear all over history.
4 is a very unlucky number in Korea. Its pronunciation is similar to the pronunciation of the Chinese character for Death. Typically, elevators are marked "F" instead of "4".
8/15 is Independence Day in Korea. South Korea even has a national soft drink called "815 Soda," or "Pal Ship Oh Cola" as it is better known locally.
42 is of course the famous "answer to life, the universe and everything" from the book "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Even google tells you that, if you enter "answer to life, the universe and everything" as a search term.

A reference to some of the numbers is made in other shows or movies, some of them predating "Lost":

Fox Mulder from "X-Files" (1993-1998) has one of them as appartment number and 23 and 42 appear throughout the show.
"Alias" also makes use of the numbers on some occasions, which is notable because Alias and Lost are both made by Abrams.
The numbers also make an appearance in "Veronica Mars", at the end of the episode "Donut Run" (2x11 - January 2006), on a fortune cookie that Duncan gives to Veronica. "Veronica Mars" airs on UPN in the same time slot as Lost.
There is a german movie called "23" (1998) (more info on IMDB)
All the numbers are retired Yankee jersey numbers. (Note: While Jersey 42 was not retired specifically by the Yankees, 42 was retired across the league on April 15, 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson.)
In the movie "Saw II", the numbers 8 and 16 were part of the Mindfuck Game: They were part of the combination to a safe that supposedly held an antidote for the poisened "players".

Ideas/Theories

The numbers are said to make some autistic kids cry
They may be coordinates
- The numbers specify a location somewhere between Australia and Los Angeles if interpreted left-to-right as GPS coordinates.
- Latitude: 4° 8 Min. 15 Sec./Longitude: 16° 23 Min. 42 Sec. is about 150 miles West of Bangui in The Central African Republic... about 400 miles SE from the border to Nigeria
- 4.815 N 162.342 W, shown on a map along with the air route mapping along the great circle route for SYD-LAX (which is the original flight-plan for Oceanic 815 map
- 4.8151 S Lat., 174(Which is 180-6).2342 W Long. These coordinates lie in the Pacific Ocean, in a direct line between Sydney and Los Angeles
They seem to be cursed
According to one of the Exec. Producers, they may have no meaning whatsoever.
Of course, we're not 100% sure the numbers are decimal, except for one key factor, that their sum in decimal is 108. If it weren't I'd say they had another base.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[Image:Thenumbers.jpg|center]]
-Since there are numerous theories on what's going on on that island in general, this article provides a recap of some of these theories. If you post here, please keep the format and try to stick to general theories (Theories about single persons, items, locations have their place in the according articles).
+----
+<h2>[[4]] [[8]] [[15]] [[16]] [[23]] [[42]]</h2>
+During the second season of LOST it was revealed that the numbers are the code that must be entered into the computer located inside [[The Hatch]] every [[108]] minutes (By the way 4 + 8 + 15 + 16 + 23 + 42 = 108).  Entering the numbers resets the countdown timer to 108 minutes.  It is not explained to viewers what is to occur if the numbers are not typed in, except it is believed to be bad.
-==The survivors are in purgatory==
-===Pro===
-*They all seem to have done something that leaves them with a feeling of guilt.
-*Once they confess to these things, they are "taken" or die.
-*Children/Babies are taken because they have no sins yet.
-===Cons===
-*This theory has been debunked by the makers of the show.
-*Not all survivors have issues we know about, also people die/disappear that are clearly not innocent.
+[[Image:CounterZeroHieroglyphic.jpg|thumb|right|Bunker Hieroglyphics]]
-==The whole island is an ongoing social experiment==
-===Pro===
-*The [[Dharma]] Initiative was a social science project, the [[Orientation movie]] talks about the realization of a huge social science project.
-*The setting in [[The Swan]] is very similar to [[B.F. Skinner|a "Skinner Box"]]
-*"[[The Others]]" seem to be scientists (see episode [[Maternity Leave]]) who disguise as savages to make the survivors believe they are really stranded.
-*Nobody remembers the plane actually crashing - everyone just "woke up" on the island.
-*"[[The Others]]" seem to have a great interest in observing the survivors (for example by using [[Ethan]] as a spy).
-*A lot on the island works with artificially generated fear:
-**a mysterious [[The Sickness|sickness]] nobody has ever seen and an even more mysterious [[CR 4-81516-23 42|vaccine]] agains that illness.
-**a completely mysterious protocol that is referred to as "[[Push the Button]]" and threatens everyone to die if it is not followed.
-**some sort of artificial [[The Monster|monster]] or [[The Security System|security system]] that spreads fear to most of the people (except [[Locke]] and [[Eko]]).
-**"[[The Others]]" taking people away from the group, so every one fears to be next.
-*[[The Swan]] as well as the [[Medical Station]] had modern equipment as well as equipment from the 70'es
-*The survivors seem to be connected in some sort prior to [[The Crash]]
-===Cons===
-*People get killed - so this is either a rather radical experiment or something does not fit in here.
-*It does not explain [[The Numbers]].
-*It does not explain the [[Whispers]] unless some advanced science or paranormal issues are involved.
+If an individual does not [[Push the Button|push the button]] in time, the numbers flip to a series of [[Hieroglyphics|glyphs]] .  While the numeric sequence is flipping into these icons, an individual can still finish typing in the numbers, press execute, and return the counter to 108 minutes.
-==It is a Virtual Reality or guided Dreamstate==
-... like in "[[Mindfuck|The Matrix]]" or "[[Mindfuck|eXistenZ]]".
-===Pros===
-*The genre "[[Mindfuck]]" this show belongs to makes use of VRs on many occasions.
-*The [[Whispers]] could be shades of reality seeping through the facade.
-*Mysterious appearances and disappearances of persons and/or animals like [[the Polar Bear]] or Kate's Horse are easily explained.
-*Also, dreams like [[Charlie's dream]] that seem to be almost prophetic could be explained.
-*It would explain why an island of that size (and beauty) is not yet inhabited.
-*Death would not be final, so "dead people" could possibly be heard as [[Whispers]] - also the experiment would still be cruel but not totally inhumane if people don't really die.
-*The issue of "The Others" not leaving tracks on some occasions could be explained.
-===Cons===
-*Since the nature of a VR or dreamstate is essentially that everything one sees is controlled, it is hard to find hard evidence agains this.
-*Does not explain per se the strangeness of events prior to the crash, esp. "the numbers".
+Note that the mysterious [[Dharma_Initiative|project]] the hatch was built for is called "[[Dharma_Initiative|The Dharma Initiative]]". The word "Dharma" means "moral duty", and the number [[108]] is very important in Buddhist mythology. To many Buddhists, there are 108 sins (or "defilements" of mankind. It is for this reason that New Year's celebrations, such as those in Japan, feature ringing a bell 108 times as well as one possible reason most Buddhist prayer beads (mala) have 108 individual beads.
-==They are in an artificial environment==
-... like in "Truman Show".
-===Pros===
+==Facts==
-*The whole island seems to be staged.
+* The numbers are 4 8 15 16 23 42.
+* The numbers total 108 when added together.
-**There are strange [[Stations]] with equipment inconsistencies (Computers from the 70ies and Washing Machines from the 90ies)
+* The numbers are used to reset the [[Countdown Timer]] inside [[The Hatch]].
-**Animals that are out of place roam around.
+* The crew in [[The Swan]] was supposed to be replaced every 540 days (108 x 5), Which means that each crew will enter the numbers at least 7200 times.
-**No planes or ships are ever to be seen, the [[:Image:Stars.jpg|stars]] are not real, the tides behave strangely.
-**"[[The Others]]" wear theatrical disguises.
+==Appearances==
-*The island is seemingly big but uninhabited.
-===Cons===
+===All numbers together===
+* On the [[hatch]]
-*Doesn't explain the dreams/visions.
+* On the [[CR 481516-23 42|medicine]] that [[Desmond]] injects into his arm
-*Doesn't really explain [[the Security System]].
+* On the [[CR 481516-23 42|vial]] that [[Claire]] was injected with in the [[Medical Station]]
-*other than that, it is hard to find arguments (See VR/Dreamstate theory), unless someone messes up and gives away the deception.
+* In the mental ward
-{{stub}}
+*  sees them at the airport on the team jersey of a girls football (soccer) team
-[[Category: Storyline]][[Category: Unsolved]]
+* [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes|Hurley]] rides past 6 players of a girls soccer team in the airport, each uniform has one of the numbers.
+* When Hurley's car broke down they showed the speedometer (in KPH) go from 16 to 15 to 8 to 4. The dashboard also displayed a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius and 42 km on the odometer.
+* [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes|Hurley]]- Wins the lottery using the numbers
+* [[Danielle Rousseau|Danielle]]- the numbers led her to the island
+* [[Jack Shephard|Jack]]'s badge number was all the numbers.
+* [[Danielle Rousseau|Danielle's]] notes contained the numbers written 7 times, along with a [[Formula|mathematical formula]].
+===Single Numbers===
+each number has its own article with more detailed information on where it appears in the show (and outside the show):
+[[4]] + [[8]] + [[15]] + [[16]] + [[23]] + [[42]] = [[108]]
+===Combos===
+A common combination with a separate article is [[815]] (or 0815)
+* 48 plane crash surviors. (4 & 8)
+* (If Jack is including the pilot and Ethan when he says it, it would mean that there are 46=4+42 survivors in the fuselage; note that 4 of them are dead before the exodus episodes in season one: the marshall, Joanna, Scott and Boone; leads to 42 survivors)
+* Boone's shirt with the Chinese symbols stood for 84. (4 & 8)
+* DriveSHAFT is 234 on the juke box. (23 & 4)
+* In the Dharma Initiative movie the number 540 is mentioned. (108x5)
+* The real number of the intelligence tape Sayid saw was 23108-42
+* The flags on Locke's bedside table.  One is the Spanish Cross of Burgundy (something like that) which was used in the year 1516
+Please keep in mind if you start adding and subtracting the numbers you can make up almost any theory that you want. That said, some examples:
+* Boone's accident is in episode 19 (42-23)
+* Boone dies in the 20th episode (16+4), Claires's Baby is born in the same episode
+===Interesting tidbit on the numbers as written on Danielle's papers.===
+8 15 16 23 42
+8 15 16 23 42
+8 15 16 23 42
+8 15 16 23 42
+8 15 16 23 42
+8 15 16 23 42
+8 15 16 23 42
+is 8th number counting in standard reading format.
+is 15th, 16 is 16th, 23 is 23rd and 42 is 42nd. If only the 4 was a 1 or 7 this would work with all the numbers.
+==Occurences outside of the show==
+At least some of the numbers are well known as special numbers even before this show. It is likely that at least some of them were used in the show for that reason:
+* 08/15 is a german saying for "ordinary" or "boring", also used as a placeholder on demonstration objects
+* 08/15 was the model number of the German standard rifle during WW I
+* 4, 8, 16 are binary numbers with only one "1".
+* 23 is in several conspiracy theories the number of the "Illuminati" (see also [[Mindfuck]]). It is claimed to appear all over history.
+* 4 is a very unlucky number in Korea. Its pronunciation is similar to the pronunciation of the Chinese character for Death. Typically, elevators are marked "F" instead of "4".
+* 8/15 is Independence Day in Korea. South Korea even has a national soft drink called "815 Soda," or "Pal Ship Oh Cola" as it is better known locally.
+* 42 is of course the famous "answer to life, the universe and everything" from the book "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Even google tells you that, if you [http://www.google.com/search?q=answer+to+life%2C+the+universe+and+everything enter "answer to life, the universe and everything"] as a search term.
+A reference to some of the numbers is made in other shows or movies, some of them predating "Lost":
+* Fox Mulder from "X-Files" (1993-1998) has one of them as appartment number and 23 and 42 appear throughout the show.
+* "Alias" also makes use of the numbers on some occasions, which is notable because Alias and Lost are both made by Abrams.
+* The numbers also make an appearance in "Veronica Mars", at the end of the episode "Donut Run" (2x11 - January 2006), on a fortune cookie that Duncan gives to Veronica. "Veronica Mars" airs on UPN in the same time slot as Lost.
+* There is a german movie called "23" (1998) (more info on [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126765/ IMDB])
+* All the numbers are retired Yankee jersey numbers. (Note: While Jersey 42 was not retired specifically by the Yankees, 42 was retired across the league on April 15, 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson.)
+* In the movie "Saw II", the numbers 8 and 16 were part of the [[Mindfuck]] Game: They were part of the combination to a safe that supposedly held an antidote for the poisened "players".
+==Ideas/Theories==
+* The numbers are said to make some autistic kids cry
+* They may be coordinates
+** The numbers specify [http://static.flickr.com/24/47743274_9f47113551.jpg a location] somewhere between [[Australia]] and [[Los Angeles]] if interpreted left-to-right as [http://www.gpsy.com/gpsinfo/gps-faq.txt GPS] coordinates.
+** Latitude: 4° 8 Min. 15 Sec./Longitude: 16° 23 Min. 42 Sec. is about 150 miles West of Bangui in The Central African Republic... about 400 miles SE from the border to Nigeria
+** 4.815 N 162.342 W, shown on a map along with the air route mapping along the great circle route for SYD-LAX (which is the original flight-plan for Oceanic 815 [http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=4.815+N+++162.342+W%2C+SYD-LAX%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=mi&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE map]
+** 4.8151 S Lat., 174(Which is 180-6).2342 W Long. These coordinates lie in the Pacific Ocean, in a direct line between Sydney and Los Angeles
+* They seem to be cursed
+* According to one of the Exec. Producers, they may have no meaning whatsoever.
+*Of course, we're not 100% sure the numbers are decimal, except for one key factor, that their sum in decimal is 108.  If it weren't I'd say they had another base.
+== See Also ==
+[[The Numbers (Fan theories)]]
+[[Category:Numbers]][[Category:Unsolved]]