應用物理學技術的研究突破
（一）電視機的發明
我們可以再來看一看其他的學科。近代科學日新月異，其中一個很大的突破就是電視的發明；電視成了近代影響社會的一大工具。政客利用電視媒體宣傳自己黨派；娛樂界利用電視傳播他們吸引人的各種暴力節目，以贏取高額利潤。新一代的孩童，每天越來越強烈地被吸引在電視機前，幼小的心靈深深地受著荼害，人類下一代的素質如何，已成為很多當代社會學家的關注。近來美國連續發生校園血案，更令人注意這個問題。
（二）原子核的研究
近代物理學上另一個大的突破在於原子核的研究。人類經由對於物質界基本粒子的探索，而發現了原子核的基本特性，進行了原子核聚變等過程處理來產生大量的能量。這種能量利用在軍事上，即成核子武器。我們可以看到第二次世界大戰中它給日本帶來的巨大損失。這種能量如果利用在民用上，即成核子工廠、核電站等。雖然核能在某種程度之內還是安全可靠的，可是我們不難在1980年代末蘇聯車諾比爾核電站爆炸事件中，對烏克蘭等地區造成的核污染中看出核能危險的另一面。
筆者曾因工作所需，在美國田納西州的Oak Ridge 一所實驗室工作了一年多。我們工程的目的就是設計建造出能夠高效處理核廢料的工廠。在這段工作期間，我在與 Oak Ridge 科研界、工商界人士接觸中，深深感受到了全美國核廢料不僅多，而且處理難。現在全美唯一一個可以合法大量掩埋核廢料的地點，在南卡羅來納州，而每年全美各核電站、研究所、工業界所廢棄的核廢料遠遠超過該地所能承受的。因此很多工廠就將核廢料堆在自家的院落，嚴重影響了環境和生態。我們可以看到，利用核能可以暫時滿足人類一時的物質需要，可是它的後弊遠遠超過前利，也許當將來人類再來後悔時，為時已晚矣。
國際電腦網路的建立
近代科學對於社會影響最大的莫過於電腦的開發與應用了，尤其是近十年來，電腦對於社會發展起了某種決定性的作用。通過電腦的廣泛使用以及國際網路的建立，人們不但節省了大量的腦力勞動，而且更引人注目的是通過電腦通訊網路，整個地球的經濟、科技、文化等等可以完全聯為一體，大大加速了全球的經濟文化一體化的發展。
這種進步從現階段來說是極為可喜的，但是長遠來看，卻很難說。通過電腦網路建立起來的全球一體化，在經濟文化上是極大的進步；可是它會對大多數人類的心靈思維起極大的束縛。人們在網路上往往喜歡尋找自己喜歡的，能得到利益的東西，而製造網路的專家常常利用這一點，來傳播很多既吸引人又可以營利的節目。久而久之，人們會依賴網路去尋找關於人生、社會、日常生活乃至於細微事物的指點。因而電腦對於人類社會的控制將會越來越大，人們也會因之而造下諸多的共業。正如《楞嚴經》上所說，人們的共業，最終會帶來這個特定人類群體的果報，其後果是不堪設想的。以此觀之，我們對於電腦的應用，應採取審慎之步驟，而不應被一時的經濟利益所左右。
結論
科學，給予近代人類的物質生活帶來了極大的促進作用，可仍然不能給人類帶來真正的幸福。我們唯有在自性上下功夫，才能得到真正的解脫。希望沉迷於科學技術及現代物質生活的人們，能夠有所省思。
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Breakthroughs in Applied Physics
I. The Invention of Television
Early in this century one of the great breakthroughs in science was the invention of television, which has become one of the greatest tools for influencing society in modern times. Politicians use television for party propaganda, and the entertainment business uses it to disseminate various programs filled with sex and violence to attract viewers and make big profits. The young generations are more and more attracted to violent programs and games on television, and the morality of future generations is a big problem for the society. People are especially concerned about this problem after the recent killings in high schools in the United States.
II. Research on the Atomic Nucleus
Another big breakthrough in physics this century concerns the atomic nucleus. Upon discovering basic properties of the atomic nucleus, scientists found a way to release a huge amount of energy in nuclear reactions. The application of this knowledge in the military field led to the development of nuclear weapons which brought catastrophic damage to Japan during World War II. Although nuclear energy may be used for civilian purposes with a certain degree of safety and reliability, it can also be dangerous, as seen in the great harm suffered by the people around Ukraine and Belarus (then still parts of Soviet Union) after the radiation leak at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the late eighties.
I once worked in Oak Ridge National Laboratories for over a year doing design and startup work for a nuclear waste treatment facility. Through contact with the Oak Ridge research staff as well as business firms, I became aware of the huge amount of nuclear waste that needed to be treated there. Now there is only one place in South Carolina where large amounts of commercial nuclear waste can legally be buried in the United States, and the total amount of nuclear waste produced every year in this nation far exceeds that site’s capacity. As a result, a lot of nuclear plants simply dump or store the waste in their “own backyard” so to speak, causing serious damage to the environment. Thus it can be seen that while the application of nuclear technology brings energy and convenience to people, the longterm consequences far outweigh the immediate benefits, and by the time mankind realizes this, it may be too late.
The Establishment of Internet
Lately the development and use of the computer has played the greatest role in social progress. The so-called 'information highway' or Internet has saved a lot of laborious work for people, and it is now linking almost every corner in the world, thereby greatly promoting the globalization of different cultures and expediting economic and technological development—a very promising step.
Such progress seems very desirable, but is not certain what the long-term consequences will be. While the globalization of Internet favors economic and cultural development, it actually tends to trammel people's minds. People like to search and rely on the Internet for the information they need and like, and business groups make programs that attract more people. As people rely more and more on the Internet for their life and working needs, it will exert increasing control over the society. As stated in the Shurangama Sutra, when a group of people create collective karma, that particular group will eventually undergo a disastrous retribution. In light of this, we should be extra cautious in making use of the computer, and not be swayed by the temporary economic benefits that it promises.
Conclusion
Science and technology have brought a lot of progress and advancement to human society in material terms, yet it seems that they cannot bring people ultimate happiness. Only through cultivating our own nature can we obtain ultimate liberation and true happiness. I hope those people who are infatuated with science and technology and modern material life will reflect upon this.
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