My first English class "Critical Essay Assignment" (we were assigned about three a year), was on Free Speech. And even after researching, reading other articles, writing all 2000 words, editing, and handing in my essay, I was none the wiser to what that meant.

It felt other-worldy, an American issue. In my school in rainy Edinburgh, we could say what we liked, and if it was rude or offensive, we could still say it. Just end up in the principles office.

But that sat right. There were rules. There was a system. And it was all I had ever known. Outside of school, we live in a society which operates similarly. Racist, homophopic, sexist remarks will be (on the whole) met with disregard by society, and as a sort of exile, you're alone and internally, sent to the principles. Taking action on these extremest hateful views, will (on the whole) result in police enforcement.

Needless to say, it wasn't a terrific essay. I think I scored an A- or something (my ability to string words together, half sensible, saved me from ever getting not an A grade, despite not actually thinking critically at all). I was about thirteen years old.

Now, nearly a decade after that assignment, I actually have some thoughts.

What is freedom? Now living as an adult, freedom is choice. It's pancakes for dinner, and free will to go to work, or to pretend sick. It's to travel, and speak to people, or not. It's to do as I please. But there's a boundary. If I pleased to go into the lovely house across the road, well it's not my house. So while physically possible, I can't. Without consequence.

Total free speech, would be: "the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint."

Now I think of what I can't do, not because it would offend, but because of our society. I can't go shirtless when it's hot, I can't