On the verge of being snowed in last Friday, I joined in the latest episode of Jaffe Juice in the form of a Talkshoe broadcast—cool!

Joe ran the show (natch), but there were a bunch of seemingly bright folks down the line and taking part in the chat. Certainly, everyone involved seemed to completely grasp and have a strong opinion about the predictions that other experts had made regarding social media in the coming year.

In the midst of listening to these knowledgeable, articulate peeps hold forth, I realized that for all intents and purposes the whole notion of social media had changed to mean interactive social media specifically. And while I’m as fascinated by Facebook Connect as the next guy, I have to wonder what happened to the old forms of social media. You know, the kind where ‘social’ was defined as people physically interacting with other people.

…for as much time as I spend online, and as much value as I place in digital social media, I still value real social media the most.

Just to be clear, I’m no Luddite. My involvement in the digital space dates back to ’98, when I joined the original Modem Media, and continues today, both professionally (in the sites and apps and banners that Gabardine creates) as well as personally (with more ‘friends’ and ‘followers’ and ‘contacts’ than I can possibly maintain real, meaningful relationships with). But for as much time as I spend online, and as much value as I place in digital social media, I still value real social media the most.

You know real social media. It’s what happens when you’re shoveling snow and notice your neighbor—the one who puts Consumer Reports to shame in the way he researches and analyzes major purchases—making short work of his driveway thanks to a brand new snow-blower.

Or when you and the better half decide to head out with friends for dinner at their secret little place. And lo and behold: There you are, enjoying an amazing meal that neither Yelp nor Chowhound played even the slightest part in helping you find.

Of course there’s a huge place for the digital variety of same. And I’ll be the first to admit I’d be pretty much lost without Twitter, Ping, Facebook, LinkedIN, etc. But there are times (and the aforementioned call was one of them) when I wonder if we’re all losing touch with the type of social media that, in the end, matters most; i.e. Face-to-face (or shovel to snow-blower), tangible, offline interactions in which people endorse/support/recommend stuff as they look you in the eye.

Because it’s just too easy to fudge it online. Too common for important details to be left out. Too little back and forth and too much confusion from so many different inputs.

And that’s why, next year—before the first big storm—I’ll start looking for a snow-blower online; but I’ll end up talking one-on-one with the guy next door before I make any decisions.

And you?