cmdahler,
Spoiler:
obviously the show is very open to interpretation: I don't believe the island itself was actually a metaphysical place where the characters explored life and death... that was reserved for the LA X "flash-sideways." I interpreted the island as being in reality. A really weird reality, but reality nonetheless. So the authors could have given us more, without risking a religious backlash (as it is, they risked doing so by using the name "Christian Shepard", and placing the final scenes in a Catholic-looking church).
At any rate, I like your postulation of what was affecting the island... it's as good as any! I think that if the writers had presented an SF explanation, after all we've seen, it wouldn't scare viewers away... I honestly think any explanation, whether it be SF, fantasy, religious, or "The Force," would be enough in itself to allow the audience to switch gears and say, "Okay, now I know what it is... I'll look for something else (like holes in the continuity) now." In fact, that's pretty much what the original 3 Star Wars movies (episodes IV, V and VI) gave us in the explanation of The Force, and audiences largely went, "Sure, okay, go with it."
I too wouldn't mind seeing a lot more about Ben... he was more complex than most of the characters on the island, a cunning and utterly ruthless warrior for the Good (or so he thought, at least). Spending more time with him on the island, exploring some of those weird aspects of the island, and maybe finding out how good or bad it really was, might give even more insight into his inner workings.
umm... (contemplates spoiler above, and the fact that this posting will be empty without it)
...
uh... I liked the College Humor video. Remember Kate's horse? Wonder where that went?
