Landing on Mt Everest is as equally useful as climbing Mt Everest. Edmund's and Tenzeg's accomplishment didn't immediately contribute anything to humankind, scientific advancement, international relations, etc. That wasn't even their reason. I'm sure they realized fame would have resulted, but in the end they climbed Everest "because it was there".
Lets quit rationalizing the accomplishment, minimizing the complexity, and arguing that Everest is somehow a sacred piece of land. Lets just be honest with ourselves and recognize that landing a helicopter up there is very difficult and hadn't been done before.
Only one can be first to do it. I'm a little jealous I couldn't be that one.
Well done to all involved!
Matthew Parsons