Last night we spent a few hours talking to passionate, informed media makers and activists over at the Firedoglake Book Salon. Matthew Kerbel, the author of Netroots: Online Progressives and the Transformation of American Politics, served as our host; here’s a snippet of his introductory book review:

Clark and Van Slyke approach technology, journalism and political action as elements of a system, and showcase the way changes in each have facilitated changes in the others. Where a decade ago there was no progressive media strong enough to challenge either mainstream reporting or the right’s well-financed “noise machine,” the middle of the last decade witnessed the evolution of an interconnected media network fostered by emerging technology and the motivational pull of Bush administration policies. Initially, there were big gaps in the network, limiting its reach and effectiveness linking up emerging progressive media portals with established progressive organizations, elected officials, and mainstream media. But, these gaps were filled organically and, in retrospect, quickly, producing a fairly robust progressive infrastructure capable of influencing political outcomes and policy debates.

We talked with Matthew and members of the FDL community about our four network layers, the progressive media strategies we examine, and the pros and cons of developing progressive talking points. Couldn’t join the conversation? Catch it here.