Generally anytime anyone tries, it devolves into special pleading; basically saying that this or that isn't "real" utility.

As if being able to transact with anyone else on the planet sans middlemen isn't enough utility on its own. I would instead ask people who make comments like the one that started this thread to substantiate their affirmative claims about how crypto is only used for these shady things. For some reason, no such evidence is ever forthcoming.