Freestyle on fixed - I don't get it

You don't ride hard enough, if you'd never come across a reason to need to skid.

Just because you don't have a skill doesn't mean it's not useful. You'll notice I've made no reference to fixed sans brakes. Even with a brake (or two) a skid can be useful from time to time.

The next question being why did you learn if you thought they were "not essential"?

Fuck me, what've I been doing all these years, riding my fixed 'hard' at 40+mph on occasions, but without the ability to skid?

Will I be going to hell for this*?

*hope so - better music