The real world is much more complex than the mental models we create of it: maps are a necessary simplification so that we can reduce a chaotic system to a number of reproducible, rigid rules, so that the system itself is easier to work with.
In other words, while the territory is a fact, the map is a story—it’s important to keep the distinction in mind.
When we consciously conflate map and territory, it’s not a problem: as stated before, it’s a necessary mechanism to work and reason within a complex system.
However, when we do it unconsciously, we risk generating “flawless” ideas, which negatively affect the quality of our decision-making.