Because Gibson very specifically crafted the language, metaphors and imagery in technology.

Which is fair, and the job of a good writer. I'd rather read a book set firmly and confidently in the imagery of the time, instead of hedging its bets against tomorrow. If it's a novel, that is -- otherwise I'll look for science writing.

My television still makes gray snow if I'm on an empty channel and the VCR and DVD are off.

Think how much shorter it would be with submachine guns!

Yeah, but they're not terribly accurate, just effective. You might lose all that time again trying to pop a cap in Achilles' heel while the bullets were bouncing off everywhere else.

I really liked Lady Teldra, and it was kind of shocking how Brust expanded her role only to do what he did. I thought she was being set up as a new love interest, then BLAMMO!

Ginger, so does mine. Right now, on the coax station with no input.

Will a new generation of kids suddenly understand the metaphor?

You might lose all that time again trying to pop a cap in Achilles' heel while the bullets were bouncing off everywhere else

Pfft. When everyone else is dead, Achilles is much easier to work with. Think of the collateral damage of all those bullets ricocheting into his countrymen.

Wow, I'm managing to agree with both ita and Hec on this one. I always and only see/feel grey static when I read that line, but it also makes me think of TVs with knobs and such and I instantly remember that Neuromancer is an old book.

However, my gripe with Gaiman's response is that I'm not sure that's "arguably the most famous opening line in SF." I'm not sure what I'd put in it's place, but I think "In the week before their departure to Arrakis" would spring to mind first. Dunno. Thoughts?

I think the Gibson line is pretty famous, and works well for me still.

How about: " It is the colour of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white."

The other jarring thing about Neuromancer is that it sorta kinda posits the continuation of the Cold War

IIRC it posits it getting hot. I'd never thought of the television thing - prob'ly cos I have an old telly.

Neuromancer is probably the third most famous, after “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” and "No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own; ".

Oh yeah, those are good. I was also thinking "It was a pleasure to burn."

"No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own; ".

This is the only one that really pings me, largely because I hear Richard Burton saying it.

The sole good thing about the Speilberg WOTW teaser is Voiceover Guy delivering that speech.