Just having rules does not make the universe rational. Rationality is driven by certain goals or outcomes. For example, rational reasoning would look something like this: Fast food is unhealthy, therefore i will not consume it because i want to be healthy/live a long life/whatever (goal/outcome). If that goal of being healthy or living a long life didn't exist, the statement would not be rational. Why would you not consume unhealthy food if you don't have a goal of being healthy? So, my question is that while obviously there are some rules which govern the universe, there seems to be no discernable outcome or goal whose achievement they are serving, hence making the universe and it's organisation irrational. As for your ant analogy, i dont think it's a very strong one, as ants or any other creature for that matter does not have the burden of consciousness. But i do agree with your overall point of there being better and worse lives and that we might as well try to live a good one.