Ice is only as pointless as the effort to make or preserve it. In a real SHTF situation, which means prolonged (> 1 year, or permanent) lack of electricity, I think folks will find all sorts of uses for ice - preserving meds for instance. My great-great grandfather in 19th century Wisconsin maintained an outbuilding that he filled with ice every winter, which lasted through the summer and into the following winter. So they had a use for an entire barnful of ice, year round.