This wiki was set up to try to explain the mysteries surrounding the passengers of Oceanic Airlines Flight 815, and we have done a great job trying to come up with explanations, but where is the line separating theory and personal speculation?
Theory vs. Speculation
there will never be a clear black and white between what is a theory and what is pure speculation. What we can do, is draw up a brief definition that will serve its purpose 90% of the time, and leave the other 10% to get hammered out via the discussion page of any article.
- A theory is a coherent statement backed up with relavent observation(s), and/or fact(s), that attempts to explain an observed event or phenomenon, in this case in the show. Each theory should be posted along with its supporting evidence.
- A recent valid theory would be that Kelvin=Joe Inman.
- This is not random speculation: evidence can be cited to back up this clam: the two men appear extremely similar, speak with an almost identical accent, have similar military experience, there is a long time window for Joelvin to have become involved in Dharma, and they are played by the same actor (although dont forget Bad Twins!)
- A recent valid theory would be that Kelvin=Joe Inman.
- Speculation, on the other hand, has no basis in fact within the show's or game's canon. Speculation should be kept out of the theories page. One recent example of speculation is "the polar bears came from where the listening station is". The supporting evidence is what.. because its a cold climate? A theory with factual evidence to the contrary may also be considered speculation.
- Theory and Specultion Should be Separated into separate heading in articles.
Clones, Zombies, Spaceships
While producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse do joke about the seventh season (the zombie season) right now there is no evidence to support any theory as such.
Crackpot theories
Fallacies
'I am so funny', No you're not!
Everyone loves a clown, and a sense of humour is as essential to life as a outrageously addictive television show. Making ridiculous additions just to be funny is not particularly helpful and probably won’t be seen as funny. The majority of people who visit the Wiki care about LOST, and the hundreds of editors that spend veritable hours, tidying articles and talk pages will not appreciate your comedy antics.
If you are, however, a funny person then you could always help over at Uncyclopedia, the worlds only content free encyclopedia.
Mere speculation
Neutral Point of View
- In editing a wiki about a show like LOST, where even at the end of season two it's unsure who 'the good guys' are (if indeed there is such a black/white division), the wikipedia policy of neutral point of view is important.
- If you're editing the article on Locke, and you think that he's doomed the losties, or you think that Michael is lacking in morals, or you think that Hurley should have gone postal on Michael in the finale (i do ;]), you shouldn't let that cloud your judgement and influence your edit. That's for the discussion page.
- After all, the losties have killed more others than vice-versa. Who the bad guys are here is very subjective.
Official Podcasts vs. Forum threads
Purgatory
The idea of Purgatory has been denied by the writers of LOST on several separate occasions, and since The Season Finale, the idea finally seems debunked. Read through material already contributed by other editors, and if you think they have missed something, and you are still convinced the castaways are trapped in Purgatory, AND you have compelling evidence, please discuss on the Relevant Talk Page.