[Elsie]

Ah........

but some INTELLiGENCE was used to determine that the new stuff was, indeed, 'useful'.

[js1138]

but some INTELLiGENCE was used to determine that the new stuff was, indeed, 'useful'.

In living systems that intelligence is called differential reproductive fitness, or selection, for short. That is what "useful" means to living things.

[Right Wing Professor]

but some INTELLiGENCE was used to determine that the new stuff was, indeed, 'useful'

Moving the goalposts, a Creationist Classic (TM).

You originally wrote Have you ever (in your 30 years experience) created anything useful by randomly mixing chemicals?

The answer is, he might not have, but many chemists have.