Originally posted by: alkohoLiK
I have a bunch of theories....much of what I've read on different sites and came to these conclusions
(may contain spoilers so if you dont want to see them...dont read)
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The others are scientists sent to the island in the late 70's to do secret scientific experiments. The island is at top-secret facility shielded from the rest of the world by an EM field. This EM field would explain why Ben (Henry) told Michael to follow a bearing and not a heading when leaving the island. Also would explain why Desmond just sailed back to the island.
The others created an advanced EM presence on the island which they call the Cerberus System. It has the ability to enter into the minds of the survivors, scan their memories and pasts, gathers intel for The Others. Then it plays off of those memories and feeds on their fears. It does not attack who can be deemed "good" (by the Others' definition). It kills the "threats" or the "bad people" it comes into contact with. This EM presence is known as the smoke monster.
The button controlled some type of EM field. I am not sure if it was part of the smoke monster or part of the EM field that surrounds the island. Because it was blown up the island will lose its magical healing powers meaning Rose's cancer will return and Locke will lose use of his legs. I have not read this anywhere but I do feel that the others were doing some sort of time travel. This is evident by the fact that Desmond can now see the future. And also in the past episode with the rabbit......I've found this
From Stephen King's "On Writing," in which he discusses how writing is like a sort of time travel/telepathy relationship with the audience:
"Look-here's a table covered with a red cloth. On it is a cage the size of a small fish aquarium. In the cage is a white rabbit with a pink nose and pink-rimmed eyes. In its front paws is a carrot-stub upon which it is contentedly munching. On its back, clearly marked in blue ink, is the numeral 8."
Lastly....I do believe there is only 1 island and that when Ben took Sawyer up to the peak it was simply a snowglobe effect. The guy with the patch is actually an other from a differnt hatch. Someone will be killed in the next episode - my guess is Mr. Ecko or possibly Rose. Other assumptions: Jack's dad is the real Sawyer, Claire is Jack's half sister, The real Henry Gale was an associate of Penny Widmore who she sent on a mission to find Desmond, and Widmore Corps supply food drops on the island and constructed the research stations.
The series will conclude when they get to the middle of the map but who knows when that will happen. They still need to find a couple more hatches and need to explain more of the character's backgrounds. I'm guessing atleast 7 seasons before they come close.