The process of bitcoin mining involves having a machine to do virtual work.
A Bitcoin miner does real work. Real resources are consumed in the process.
So do World of Warcraft gold miners. The point is that "work" hold little value to majority of people. Who freaking cares if some computer can solve a math problem faster than another computer.
It depends on which math problem it is solving.
Here is the problem. If someone is unable to separate reality from a virtual reality, they can't make the distinction between a virtual commodity and a real commodity. I believe this is an actual documented psychiatric disorder. There is no point in debating further, It would be as pointless as continuing to argue with a delusional religious fanatic.