Thanks for the article Jonathan,a great read first thing in the morning with my liesurely breakfast, and the exact thought with which I have started my day for most of my now very considerable number of years. I notice you describe yourself as ‘ageing’ and it is true that one’s perspective does shift with time and the accumulated experience of life,witnessing the inevitable departure of friends, family,and endless unknowns is alone sufficient to raise a doubt regarding ones importance .
To move the idea a little forward perhaps- it is quite possible to regard oneself as inconsequential and be at the same time a happy, confident individual as you write ,however we live in a world culture that is predominately ‘human centric’,that is to say that the human race sees itself as the most (only) important species on the planet and probably the universe too.While it is easy to view oneself as inconsequential ( the human race may even assist ) changing the mindset of humanity is a difficult task. Some of the responses have already touched on the thinking that underpins this human centric aproach to the world, ‘greater powers’ decide matters of consequence , it may not be popular to suggest that it is within our remit to ascess the position we occupy in this universe.Standing back allows a new perspective , viewed from the inevitability of humanities own fosil layer, humans may appear a remarkable if short lived species,collectively suffering hubris even when willing to accept their individual inconsequentiality.
Perhaps none of it really matters- unless it matters to you?