The internet has made it easier, but it's not the same. When I socialize with friends, they don't care to talk about programming. In fact, they make fun of me.
I think there may be a selection effect where many of those who are really hardcore are too busy doing to socialize. Besides that, it can be hard to communicate with others about programming because there is so much disagreement about how to do it "right". (Not that there isn't also agreement.)
Or at least branch out and find additional friends who enjoy discussing programming. Local user groups are a good place to start.
I'm going against my nature and meeting with a friend weekly to review queries for a SQL class we're both taking. Just talking with him and catching each other's mistakes has been worth as much as my O'Reilly book.