Leader of the Island

[Kiowa Warrior]

LOCKE: Because you told me that I had something very important to do once I get there. And because I'm your leader.
RICHARD: You're my leader?
LOCKE: That's what you told me.
RICHARD: Look, I... certainly don't want to contradict myself, but... we have a very specific process for selecting our leadership, and it starts at a v--very, very young age.

I was just wondering if that specific process for selecting the leader is the test that Richard gave young Locke, where he had to choose items that belonged to him. Would a similar test - with different items - have been given to Ben say?

Or was it because Locke travelled back in time and told Richard to visit him off-island when he was born that Richard gave him the item picking test? Did 1954 Richard think perhaps that Locke had grown up on the Island and could then time travel on it?

Maybe each prospective leader has a different test.

And how young is a very young age?

[ashuri]

I mentioned this in my post about Alpert. I think the only reason Alpert gave 'young' Locke that test was because of meeting between 'old' Locke and Alpert in 1954. If you remember Alpert was holding the compass when the time shift happpend and Locke told him to go look him up in the future. I think Alpert wanted to go see if Locke was who he said he was.

[Reed]

Originally Posted by ashuri

I mentioned this in my post about Alpert. I think the only reason Alpert gave 'young' Locke that test was because of meeting between 'old' Locke and Alpert in 1954. If you remember Alpert was holding the compass when the time shift happpend and Locke told him to go look him up in the future. I think Alpert wanted to go see if Locke was who he said he was.

Yes I agree with that ashuri.

"I... certainly don't want to contradict myself" - I loved this comment by Alpert - very amusing indeed.

However, I feel that perhaps the test is not entirely indicative of Leaders as surely Locke is a Leader despite young Locke choosing the incorrect item?

[ashuri]

Originally Posted by Reed

Yes I agree with that ashuri.

"I... certainly don't want to contradict myself" - I loved this comment by Alpert - very amusing indeed.

However, I feel that perhaps the test is not entirely indicative of Leaders as surely Locke is a Leader despite young Locke choosing the incorrect item?

Yes I concur, the test was just for Alpert's curiosity, and not linked to leadership credentials. However, why did Alpert not stop the test when Locke chose the book or small container? He waited, and even smiled a little after Locke picked the book. It was only when the knife was picked that he got upset and left.