Is there a conflict between dependent origination and right effort? My current understanding of dependent origination is that things cause other things to arise and cease and ultimately it a big interconnected web of influences. If that's reasonably correct (on a provisional level) then what meaning does right effort or just effort generally have in that context.

If I arise and cease dependent on other things then where does my own effort come into it? If I decide to practice the Dharma how does that come about? Isn't my decision to practice just the interplay of causes in a big interconnected web?

I appreciate that this kind of questioning can be (rightly) criticised as metaphysical nitpicking. However when I meditate (or even just sit around and reflect) this kind of question comes up for me. It's like a little personal koan that keeps nagging at me so I would appreciate any input - even if it is just a reminder not to worry and get practicing.
Where we don't have a choice:


stop, maintain or prolong, create phenomena and influence, control arising and passing of phenomena. Even at a grosser level the influence is limited. 


Where we have a choice:


not being reactive to sense stimulus but proactive to it
influence and regulate your mind towards skillful states and away from unwholesome states


Exercising the latter help you to fabricate better existence or stop fabrications altogether. 

There are two places to work on breaking the cycle of Dependent Origination (DO). 


To keep your mind free from delusion focus on arising and passing of phenomena. 
Keep your mind equanimous and devoid of craving and clinging thus not reacting to sense stimulus with unwholesome mental states


Like any other processes DO needs it's fuel to continue. The fuel is an untamed mind influenced by craving. So you can extinguish this process by not feeding it with it's fuel, i.e. be equanimous without clinging and craving towards sensations and being mindful of arising and passing of phenomena of the aggregates. The existing fuel will burn out and DO will collapse. You can catalyse this process by actively calming the fabrications, i. e. do some fire fighting.