I suspect you're getting downvoted (though not by me) because the hashing computation doesn't directly provide that.

Other proof of work algorithms could concurrently secure the block chain and also provide direct, external benefit. There are some suggestions elsewhere in this thread. :)

Sorry for this metacomment, but how can you tell if someone is getting downvoted?

I assume the comment used to appear grayed, which indicates a negative score.

In this case, since it wasn't grey any longer, I just took PKop's word for it :)

Funny you're getting down-voted. This is quite literally a true statement.

Then the only point of contention is whether the benefit of this secure network existing and what it gives the world outweighs the cost of the resources consumed.

I believe it is, by a large amount.

No, that's not the only one. High on the list is, surely there must be some way to accomplish the same quality of network without requiring so much throwaway work.

It's not "Funny". This forum's intellectual integrity is declining. OP, of course, made a statement of fact.

They made a statement of fact, but it wasn't really relevant to the comment it was replying to.