the Besźel and Ul Qoma

Besźel and Ul Qoma are two neighboring cities that occupy overlapping spaces, but their residents are only aware of one city at a time, depending on where they focus their attention. The cities share physical areas, yet their citizens must mentally "unsee" the other city when they are in their own. This unique arrangement requires strict perception control to maintain separation, leading to complex social and legal dynamics. The concept explores themes of perception, reality, and cultural boundaries, highlighting how consciousness shapes understanding of space and identity.