Was it ever even said? I heard Desmond say something about electro-magnetic, but that's all I can remember.

It was never said. Desmond was lead to believe that he was saving the world by doing so. I guess he thought that the world would be destroyed by not doing it.

yep they never said and desmond didnt want to take the chance of not pushing the #'s then execute....IMO it is a test of one's faith....thus locke being stuck there is a cruel twist...

The video only refers to an incident that happend that led to them having to put the numbers in every 108 minutes.

I think the question is- WHAT is the computer actually doing when you put the numbers in? Presumably, that's the password to tell the computer to do something every 108 minutes. So what is actually being done?

Could be just a psycho experiement, with little or no consequence if it's not submitted. But, I just can't buy this. How exciting would that be? I would suspect at some point it will get screwed up and 'something' will happen that will not be good. Season finale cliffhanger anyone?? (you heard it here first)

At the beginning of the episode, the key on Jack's neck moved like it was being pulled by a magnet. Maybe this ties into the EMF experiment?

The video only refers to an incident that happend that led to them having to put the numbers in every 108 minutes.

I think the question is- WHAT is the computer actually doing when you put the numbers in? Presumably, that's the password to tell the computer to do something every 108 minutes. So what is actually being done?

Could be just a psycho experiement, with little or no consequence if it's not submitted. But, I just can't buy this. How exciting would that be? I would suspect at some point it will get screwed up and 'something' will happen that will not be good. Season finale cliffhanger anyone?? (you heard it here first)

I liked how the host of the Orientation tape said 'incident'. Seriously though guys, how many of you wouldn't ask what the button does EXACTLY. I'd hold the gun to his head 'till he told me.

The movie cut out on some parts. Remember the film was called "Orientation" there has to be more films.

My guess is that it controls the magnetic field in some way.

Who knows? Maybe it would set off a huge electro magnetic pulse which would shut down every computer on the face of the globe? Remember all the Y2K hoopla? Maybe Desmond was the reason nothing happened!?!!? *lol*

To me, the choice only involves change and the human fear of it. In a sense it's like being afraid of the dark, because you DON'T know what is there (or in the case of the hatch, what will happen).

An alarm will go off and everyone will wake up.

The video only refers to an incident that happend that led to them having to put the numbers in every 108 minutes.

Could be just a psycho experiement, with little or no consequence if it's not submitted. But, I just can't buy this. How exciting would that be? I would suspect at some point it will get screwed up and 'something' will happen that will not be good. Season finale cliffhanger anyone?? (you heard it here first)

I bet its just a psychological experiment to see how long ones "faith" can over ride their sense of "science". The incident could have been the two test subjects leaving the first time...so the fear that something bad might happen was installed in the next two test subjects and it has been passed on ever since. I do hope it is something else, but I have the feeling a test may be what is going on.

my guess it every 108 minutes the code will reset something that previously ran constantly. Maybe the electromagnet was powered too long and needs to be reset every 108 minutes. Also the film said they were #3 of 6. Maybe the other 5 have shut down causing the Polar Bear, the plan to rip in half and all the boat accidents(Desmonds and Danielles). Who knows, maybe I am going a little crazy thinking too hard?

I bet its just a psychological experiment to see how long ones "faith" can over ride their sense of "science". The incident could have been the two test subjects leaving the first time...so the fear that something bad might happen was installed in the next two test subjects and it has been passed on ever since. I do hope it is something else, but I have the feeling a test may be what is going on.

Agreed Colonel...and when they decide to stop entering the numbers, the timer will just start over...with nothing happening.

The psychological test theory is a bit too simple to me. It would be a bit of a let down to me if that was answer. Testing to see how long someone with stay sleep deprieved to press numbers into a computer would be a let down. I want to think that if they don't reset the counter something happens to take out the island. Kind of like, as long as someone is here to man the facility they we can keep the facility. But if whoever is there dies, then the island must be destroyed.

The psychological test theory is a bit too simple to me. It would be a bit of a let down to me if that was answer. Testing to see how long someone with stay sleep deprieved to press numbers into a computer would be a let down. I want to think that if they don't reset the counter something happens to take out the island. Kind of like, as long as someone is here to man the facility they we can keep the facility. But if whoever is there dies, then the island must be destroyed.

Of course if that's the case we are in for a long season of button pushing no? That's going to get old pretty quick me thinks.

I agree with conspiricytheory. The pay off being we find out nothing happens will PO me to no end.

If for the last three years, someone has "pushed the button" as they were instructed to do "just because they may be saving mankind" and for the last three years, nothing has changed or happened, then which is a bigger ''leap of faith''

Pushing the Button and maintaining a status quo situation, or NOT pushing the button just to see what happens?