Don't Back Down

Along with the Lost Season 4 finale, we saw a commercial that was unlike any that had been shown since the days of The Hanso Foundation. It was a recruiting video for Octagon Global Recruiting, seeking volunteers "on behalf of the Dharma Initiative". Listening carefully to the commercial, you'll find that these are definitely volunteer - unpaid - positions.

I caught it the first time through, but had to listen again before I really realized what was happening. of course, the Dharma logo is an octagon, and the ABC tagline at the bottom is something of a giveaway. Then there is the fact that the national recruitment drive will commence in San Diego from July 24-27, 2008 - dates that conicide with Comic-Con. Obvoiusly, something is up here. But what?

On the site, you can sign up for updates, but I haven't yet received anything from them, so either it's not working or they simply haven't begun sending anything out yet. As the site wasn't working right ater the show, I'd say that it's about even odds either way. That means that we only have the commercial itself to go on.

Astute eyes in the YouTube comments have pointed out that the typist at the end appear to be keying 8-15-16, but since it's a profile view of the keyboard, that's a reach. I wouldn't be surprised if that is happening, but I can't say for sure. How about the list of job openings? It's lengthy, but there are problems:

Unknown
Psychologists
Parapsychologists
Zoologists
Physicists
Mathematicians
Botanical Researchers
Engineers
Builders
Drivers
Health Care Workers
Communication Specialists
Neuroscientists
Janitors
Engineers
Biologists
Astrophysicists
Ex-Military
Electricians
Vets
IVF Consultants
Teachers
Architects
Ichthyologists
Transport Mechanics
Immunologists
Nurses
Illustrators
Auditors
Minibus Drivers
Recycling Coordinators
Aeronautical Engineers
Horticulturalists
Unknown

Specifically, I can't see the job at the top or the bottom, despite having watched the video online from a couple of sources and on my TiVo. They entered Engineer twice - so either they really want engineers, or they weren't paying attention. I love that they have Minibus Drivers, an obvious nod to Roger from Tricia Tanaka is Dead (and elsewhere, of course), but the other jobs cover just about everything we've seen on the island.

Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the very opening shot of the video, if you watch closely, isn't the Earth and the Moon. It appears to be the Earth and... the Earth.

Take a look for yourself. Thoughts?