I don't think so much that it's natural for Michael, just that it's more likely than he'll know Bob than your average person (i'd put educated black folk not quite as high as hippie backpacker, but higher than most Americans).

I also think that Sawyer is less likely than average because it's so outside his portrayed character -- I don't see where you're getting the "more chances" thing.

It seems to me that Sawyer has done a lot more traveling than Michael has, and mixed with more different kinds of people, which to me can mean exposure to different music.

Also, maybe it's my misconception, but it seems like a con man would make an effort to know a little bit about a lot of different things, in case in came it handy.

I've found that Marley is required listening for the group with which I associate Michael - part of standard diaspora exploration.

Of course, I was surprised to get to the end of the thread after watching the ep so late and see the slave ship misconceptions standing - so I adjusted my Sawyer expectations a bit downwards.

There is a difference between how Sawyer has shown himself to Michael and how he has been shown to us. It surprises me less that Sawyer may enjoy a variety of music than it might Michael.

Also - I think if Michael had liked Sawyer all along, he'd have been less surprised. Just because.

Maybe. (shrug) Sawyer came off pretty strongly as a bigot early on. I'm sure Michael picked up on that and put his caution radar on. If I were in Michael's place, I would have stayed far away from Sawyer after Sawyer jumped on Sayid so early on.

I think Sawyer was a self-loathing misanthrope.

He's getting better.

This Lost fic is very much worth reading, especially if you're in the mood for the funny.

I was familiar with "Get Up Stand Up," "I Shot the Sheriff," and "Stir It Up" as Marley's but have to admit that my first thought upon hearing his name is always that "One Life" song thanks to all the Jamaican tourism advertising.

One Love

I think whatever their backgrounds, Michael looks at Sawyer at this point as someone with whom he has absolutely nothing in common, and that's why the Marley pinged him so.

Also, in humming through the words to Redemption Song (yup, still know them all), I figured out a line I'd been mishearing forever. Threads collide!