the map is not the territory

"The map is not the territory" means that any representation or description of something—like a map of a city—is an approximation, not the actual thing itself. The map simplifies reality, highlighting certain features while omitting others. Therefore, the map helps us understand and navigate the territory, but it doesn't fully capture its complexity or detail. In essence, our models, descriptions, or perceptions of reality are always simplified versions, and we should remember that the true experience or reality extends beyond these representations.