Game industry in need of a Zappa-like advocate?

Frank Zappa is not the first name that comes to most mainstream minds when it comes to influential modern-day musicians, but he did have an impact on music content and ratings standards back in the '80s. And for that, you can now take a knowing, Hot-Coffee look at 13(!) pages of his Senate testimony from 1985 (the second part's here).

The hearing's legal context is a bit obscure today—with talk of a Parents' Music Resource Centre (which Tipper Gore was involved in) and a Blank Tape Tax (which certainly dates things in this digital era)—but the issues of censorship and parental obligation are still relevant for most gamers today. If anything, read the transcript for the enlightening dialogue between Frank and some U.S. senators both crass and compassionate, as well as an extended exchange with then-Senator (and Zappa appreciator) Al Gore.

So where will the game industry's Zappa-like spokesman come from? Is Doug Lowenstein of the ESA enough of a creative and charismatic force to tackle such formidable issues and political foes all by himself? We hope the mother of invention will produce sufficiently eloquent advocates in due time.

[Thanks, Technopulp]