LOST Revisited: Pre-Game for “The Lighthouse”

A friend of mine suggested that the changes are the result of removing Jacob from the equation. That’s possible, but Jacob appeared to Locke after his father pitched him out a window. Since Locke X seems to be close to his father, it seems like that whole incident probably didn’t happen. I’m still trying out my theory, but what if we’re back to the Island having sentience?