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A theory I've seen thrown around is that the "hostiles" are the crew of the Black Rock. Richard was dressed a little pirate-like when Ben first sees him. It would alos explain why there were explosions when the hostiles attacked Dharma, because they were using their dynamite from the ship.
We know the island can prevent/reverse serious injury (and even perhaps death, under the right circumstances) so maybe it can also stop aging. Richard hasn't aged a day since he met Ben in the jungle and I don't think we can trump that up to bad/lazy makeup with Lost's budget. If it can stop aging, incidentally, it has a vested interest in preventing birth for population control purposes. I don't know how much intelligence we want to ascribe to the Island just yet, but it does seem to be selective and it does not seem to help everyone it could. We'll just have to see. Given all this, I can't explain why Ben has aged AND has back problem cured. I'm still trying to sort that out.
I do not think Jacob is a joke at all. I firmly think that if he's speaking to you, you can see him. Though, what "he" is is very much up for debate. I do not think Ben thought he was tricking Locke and then he was wrong and there actually happened to be a mystical thing there that controlled the wrong and whispered to Locke and showed up in the chair. I think it's entirely possible that Ben is somehow controlling Jacob against his will, hence the "Help me" to Locke. It's also possible that it was more a request that he join Jacob's "cause" whatever that may be.
Tons of food for thought, keep it coming.
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