There is so much about deep time and consciousness that we cannot know. Humans are new to the universe and we hit a lotto of riches with carbon-based energy (coal, oil, etc.) that has propelled us to our current state of advanced knowledge trapped in a cycle of over-consumption that is enraging Gaia (the global consciousness of earth). If human consciousness is critical to there being a reality then perhaps we will be nudged (or slammed) by catastrophe to get back in harmony with Gaia by using our brainpower to innovate within the collective strengths of community. Alternatively, if our importance is of no value (very possible) to how the universe is known to itself we will be left to die off in a very ugly and miserable fashion. I think that if we are to survive, we will need help from powers outside of ourselves to get out of the trap we are in.