I wonder if Jacob's List is a list of those who have the ability to use the box.

That is why they keep saying John is on the list but none of the other losties are...

That would perhaps make sense, and I would think that is something of importance to the others.

well...they said kate wasnt on the list.

but was jack on the list? he saw his father in the first episode...so maybe he "imagined" his father. also...what about walt? and hurley?

Yeah, Kate saw her horse, so that would seem to contradict the idea that making important people/creatures from the real world visible on the island = being on the list.

But I still sense that this episode took us closer to knowing what that darned list is. Maybe, it is a list of people who would be willing to let the island change them? They are good, because they will be influenced in that way?

Maybe, it is a list of people who would be willing to let the island change them? They are good, because they will be influenced in that way?

I really like this idea. Maybe the list has people who have faith the island will change them. Locke was all about faith.

Yeah, I think the list must be people who have "seen" into the island and want to stay there. But.... I really have no clue.
Especially because Ben made it pretty clear tonight that while he wants Locke with them, and wants to know information from him, that Ben knows more about the island than Locke could possibly know.
So... it's kinda weird.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there. A list of people who would be willing to make the island their home - and never want to leave. Lock would fit that description to a tee.

Obviously Jake is not a part of that at all... however there are other losties that could be sitting on the fence, as really many of them are better off on the island that where they were supposed to be. Perhaps Ben feels it is just a matter of time before the rest of the losties 'believe' in the island as John does.

You would have to think Des, Rose and Jin/Sun (possibly) have all realized the island has some kind of special effect on them.

I thought the List was more about who would be useful to the Others, not necessarily connected to the island and its powers. They want the children and anyone who isn't going to give them trouble.

The list:
Kate
Sawyer
Hurley

Not on the list:
Jack - added by Ben
Locke

I don't see a connection between Sawyer and any powers, nor Kate. Possibly Hurley but he was only captured as a messenger.

I believe "The List" represents people who ultimately have a the ability to control their thoughts enough to not conjure up something negative when using "The Box". Remember, Locke is into meditation like when he used the sweat lodge. It falls in line with what Mikhail said were flaws and why certain people were not on the list. Angry, scared and weak minded people could potentially wreak havoc by imagining something hideous that could wipe out the population.

This would explain why they want to take the children who are usually pure and innocent at a young age. The Others could condition them to remain that way and minimize negative emotions. The Clockwork Orange Room 23, could be seen as a way to condition the mind to stay positive.

I can imagine that Smokey was the result of someone using The Box in a way to create something like "The Id" as in "Forbidden Planet".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Planet