Freedom of speech isnt needed for discussing milquetoast topics such as how much you like kittens. Freedom of speech is crucial for ensuring people can work out their differences through words rather than fists. Particularly words you strongly disagree with. While I'd agree with Atko that the people autistically screeching about "da j00z!" or calling everyone bigger maggots are obnoxious, he forgot the value of that speech. The value is that such unpopular speech is a litmus test for freedom. I may disagree with the content, but if I see it I know freedom of speech is still there. It's also valuable because then I know what someone really believes rather than living in an amorphous hugbox. E.g. if they actually believe Hitler was a great leader, I'll know I dont want them in charge unless I feel like having my country bombed into the stone age and used as a boogeyman in Communist propaganda for the next century. Would I know that without free speech? Of course not, because they'd be forced to disguise their views. Just the same as without freedom of speech there'd be no easy way for them to look at me and determine that I'm not interested in their socialist ethnostate because I dont even want there to be a state of any variety.