It has been 150 thousand years since humanity's mitochondrial mother, a single woman who's genes everyone on Earth inherited from. The thought of this huge expense of time changes my perception of what is important - in fact, safely assuming that all of these generations of people had similar cognitive power to what we do today, everyone felt that they are special. They all have seen thru their unique eyes, yet, no one is bening remembered. Yes, we do remember some recent historical facts and legends, but it is just a scratch on the surface.
So what is important? Or maybe the question should be what is not? Is lifetime of chase after fashions of today important? Is working sunrise and past sunset the way to spend life til we drop? Are money or fame important?
When we spend more time discovering how little we need to be happy. How little we really need to be loved and live in a good company. Then we learn that everything extra is just a waste of life. Seeking fame, progress, recognition and wealth beyong minimum of what we need is simply a waste of life. Working whole days away from people we love is a terrible waste of life. Doing what you don't enjoy doing as a hobby is a waste of life.
I don't advocate ascetism of any kind, just an understanding what we really need. We probably learn that it is varied food, clean air and water, shelter good company and love.
Stop for a second and shake off the nonsense of "multiply and dominate the Earth" and start living in harmony with this planet. Try to make sure that in the area you live in with your family and friends there is enought space for a happy free-ranging animals to feed you and plants without the need to degrade the enviroment you live in.
Think for second if the rat race and poluted overcrowding is the way we want to go. I say no, it is not.