People wonder what was it about Christopher Hitchens that they loved. I think what was so special about him was that he was not afraid of thinking differently AND not afraid of saying it. So many people in the world of ideas- for wont of a better term- seem to emote the same as everyone else, and take their lack of independence of thought for enlightened opinion. Hitchens was different. Sometimes he followed the herd, sometime he didn't; he always did recognize that it was a herd. And when he disagreed, he had no problem saying it and saying it in such a enjoyable way.  He is missed.