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(Fixed spelling error. (ocnstant) to (constant))
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==Individual constants==
 
==Individual constants==
[[Image:4x05 Journal end.jpg|thumb|right|A page from [[Daniel Faraday]]'s [[Daniel's journal|journal]], showing that Desmond is his constant {{crossref|4x05}}]]
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{{I|I=4x05 Journal end.jpg|w=200|a=right|c=A page from [[Daniel Faraday]]'s [[Daniel's journal|journal]], calling Desmond his planned constant. {{crossref|4x05}}}}
 
* [[Desmond]] chose [[Penny]] as his constant; he was able to reach her in both times. {{crossref|4x05}}
 
* [[Desmond]] chose [[Penny]] as his constant; he was able to reach her in both times. {{crossref|4x05}}
 
* Faraday chose Desmond as his constant. {{crossref|4x05}}
 
* Faraday chose Desmond as his constant. {{crossref|4x05}}
   
 
==Variables==
 
==Variables==
* Later Daniel realizes there are also variables in the equation: the people themselves. {{Crossref|5x14}}
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In 1977, Daniel mentioned constants in reference to an unrelated concept involving variables. He falsely theorized that free will can alter the past with a sufficiently large action. {{crossref|5x14}}
** He explains to Jack and Kate how a little pebble won't change the flow of a [[Rivers|waterstream]], but how a a big boulder will do the trick. He then explains that he had focused too much on the constants and too little on the variables. He thinks that detonating the [[Jughead bomb]] at [[the Swan]] site will [[reset|change the course of history]]. {{Crossref|Deleted scenes}}
 
 
==Similarities to the afterlife==
 
{{main|Flashes between timelines}}
 
Though Faraday's theory concerned time travel, a similar though likely unconnected concept appeared in the [[afterlife]]. The characters in the afterlife connected with something of great significance to them, often a person, that existed before their death.
 
* [[Charlie]]'s "constant" was [[Claire]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Claire]]'s was [[Aaron]]'s birth. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Desmond]]'s was [[Penny]]. {{crossref|6x11}}
 
* [[Hurley]]'s was [[Libby]]. {{crossref|6x12}}
 
* [[Jack]]'s was his [[Christian's coffin|father's coffin]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Jin]]'s was seeing [[Ji Yeon Kwon|Ji Yeon]]'s picture. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Juliet]]'s was [[Sawyer]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Kate]]'s was [[Aaron]]'s birth. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Locke]]'s was [[Healing properties|beating paralysis]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Libby]]'s was [[Hurley]]. {{crossref|6x12}}
 
* [[Sayid]]'s "constant" was [[Shannon]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Shannon]]'s "constant" was [[Sayid]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Sun]]'s "constant" was getting a sonogram of [[Ji Yeon Kwon|Ji Yeon]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
* [[Sawyer]]'s "constant" was [[Juliet]]. {{crossref|6x17}}
 
   
 
==DHARMA==
 
==DHARMA==
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[[pt:The Constant]]
 
[[pt:The Constant]]
 
[[ru:Константа (величина)]]
 
[[ru:Константа (величина)]]
[[Category:Storyline]]
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[[Category:Recurring Themes]]

Revision as of 11:42, 17 February 2013

For the episode, see "The Constant".
"Variable" redirects here. For the episode, see "The Variable".

Daniel Faraday explains that when a consciousness travels back and forth through time, it needs a constant to latch on to. A constant is an object or person that exists in both periods of time, that the traveler deeply cares about and could recognize. If a constant is not found, the oscillations between different times will become more frequent and chaotic until the individual dies from what appears to be a severe brain aneurysm. Faraday's lab rat, Eloise, experienced this fate when it was unable to recognize the difference between the present and the future. Minkowski seems to have experienced the same fate and appears to have died aboard the freighter, and it is implied that the same thing happened to Brandon. ("The Constant")

Individual constants

4x05 Journal end

A page from Daniel Faraday's journal, calling Desmond his planned constant. ("The Constant")

Variables

In 1977, Daniel mentioned constants in reference to an unrelated concept involving variables. He falsely theorized that free will can alter the past with a sufficiently large action. ("The Variable")

DHARMA

Mysteries of the Universe revealed that "Who is your constant?" was one of the interview questions of the DHARMA Initiative.