Since I didn’t see the program, I don’t know what “Superspecies” refers to, but it seems clear that the ‘new science’ is based on quantum mechanics, where Newtonian laws are not explicitly applicable. There are new technologies based on quantum mechanics, like quantum computing, for instance, which have the potential to radically change our world.
Modern physics has demonstrated that matter is subatomic particles, like electrons, neutrons, and photons. Subatomic particles make up the ‘quantum world’. (Whereas our normal world is the ‘macro world’.) This quantum world operates quite differently from our normal, macro world. For instance, Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle states that it is impossible to know precisely both the velocity and location of a subatomic particle. The more you find out about a particle’s velocity, the less you know its location; the more you find out about its location, the less you know about its
velocity. Also, everyone knows that E = m c (squared), which means that what we think of as matter, can be converted into energy; and energy can be converted into matter. In other words, since energy is not “solid”, neither, ultimately, is matter.
This is where the “emptiness” idea of Buddhism and Hinduism fit in, according to some people. Actually, Buddhism is the one that talks about “emptiness” per se. Some scientists, like Suzuki, see a connection between the modern physics notion of the ultimate non-solidity of matter; and the Buddhist notion of “
emptiness” (
sunyata), “emptiness” meaning that all phenomena (matter or energy or supernature) exist in relationship with all other phenomena, that nothing can exist absolutely on its own, that everything is co-produced by myriad causes and conditions. For instance, a chair is “empty”, because a chair is made up of non-chair elements – wood, nails, glue, the human activity, saws; and the wood itself is made up of sun, air, nutrients; and on down the line. So, in a sense, one could say that the whole universe took part in producing the wood, and thus, the chair. The chair is “empty” of inherent, isolated existence. But it is “full” of interdependent existence.
So the non-solidity of matter, found by modern physics, is seen by people like Suzuki as being quite compatible with the Buddhist notion of “emptiness”, where matter is seen as interdependent and, thus, not a “solid” and isolated object.
It should be added that the Buddhist notion of “emptiness” has parallels in certain trends in Western theology as well, including the Christian theology known as
process theology.
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