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Short story by Isaac Asimov
Ul Qoma reminds us that borders aren't always made of brick and mortar; sometimes, the strongest walls are the ones we build inside our own minds. Oh, To See, To Truly See - by Mike Sowden
Imagine walking down a street where half the people you pass don't exist. You can see them, you can hear their cars, and you can smell their cooking—but to acknowledge them is the greatest crime you could commit. This is the reality of , a city that occupies the same geographical space as its neighbor, Besźel , in a state of "cross-hatching." A World Defined by Borders Ul Qoma reminds us that borders aren't always
To "see" what is not in your city is to commit , an offense that summons a mysterious, terrifying authority known simply as The Breach . Those who breach disappear, never to be heard from again. The Aesthetics of Distinction This is the reality of , a city
Ul Qomans often wear vibrant colors and different styles of clothing to distinguish themselves from the drab, beige aesthetic of Besźel. The concept of Ul Qoma is a powerful
The concept of Ul Qoma is a powerful metaphor for our own world. We often live in "cross-hatched" societies where we walk past the homeless, ignore different political factions, or tune out cultures that share our streets. According to reviewers at SocialistWorker.org , the city reflects the "artificial divisions and barriers" that modern society imposes on itself.