I guess I don't refer to them as psi-balls, but yes, they can be made more corporeal. If one is making them as a parlor trick, then I agree that they are a waste of time. If one is actually using them for a purpose outside of showing off or whatever, then they are not a waste of time. One shouldn't underestimate the usefulness and effectiveness of these buggers, just because they are "balls" of qi. They have more potential functions than one could probably imagine, and I have used them for everything from relieving pain and illness at a distance, to transmitting thoughts/intentions, and "killing" ghosts and clearing spaces energetically.