Not sure if this needs to be in spoilerfont, but I will just in case.
It is about the identity of 'turbine dude'.

This past weekend, there was an article about "Bad Twin" in the New York Times.
The article is also available online: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/books/27lost.html?_r=1&oref=slogin (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/books/27lost.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)

In this article, here is where it states that Gary Troup IS in fact the turbine man:

"Bad Twin" represents a hybrid between content and marketing, said Michael Benson, the senior vice president of marketing at ABC.
"We wanted the audience to believe this was real," he said of "Lost," adding that Troup can be seen being sucked into an airplane engine in the first episode. In an episode broadcast on Feb. 8, one of the show's characters was seen reading a manuscript of the book with the title, author and publisher clearly visible. In another episode shown this month, another character was seen reading the same manuscript, only to have it thrown into a fire by Jack, one of the castaways.
So, can we now consider this to be conclusive?

It appears that we can take it as conclusive, unless the ABC VP is speaking out-of-turn. I'm surprised, though, that TPTB haven't given us this tidbit earlier, though...it's interesting, but really doesn't make much difference how Gary Troup passed as far as the storyline goes.

Yeah, it doesn't have much impact on the show's storyline.
It's a little helpful in the game, though, as we can now count that character as deceased.

I wouldn't call it 100% conclusive.

The diary is not considered canon, even though it is approved by ABC, since it does not have involvement from the writers.

The man quoted is not one of the creative forces behind the show.

If Lindelof or Cuse says that Troup is the Turbine Man, or if this is somehow revealed in the show, then it will be 100% conclusive. Until then, it's debateable.

Yeah, it doesn't have much impact on the show's storyline.
It's a little helpful in the game, though, as we can now count that character as deceased.

He wasn't really important, but it does help keep track of all the characters who have died. :cool:

Y'know, even though I've been joking (well, half-joking) about this on these boards, I have to agree with monsieurxander on this. Thanx, DharmaChick for posting that reference, as I knew I had read it somewhere, but I wasn't sure where. Now I see that it was said be ABC, not TPTB. Also, it would constitute a real slip in the ARG, since it mentions the TV show. Bad Twin is very much tied into the ARG, even to the point of planting a link to an interview with Troup on its Amazon.com page. They've been striving to portray it as a real book by a real author, so for ABC brass to mention it in the same breath as the show constitutes a fair gaffe.

It didn't seem to me that TurbineGuy was the same actor who is plays Troup in the interview. Personally, I think Benson was just having a little fun, there.

:24: When I first read your thread title I thought it said "turbin." Glad I checked it out. That would explain why he was gone on the island and still give some kind of solidity to the character. Nice touch.

That's funny, Jane. I could see making the mistake, though.

My hubby is Turbine man! He signed on the Fuse as GuySuckedIntoTheEngine.