When interacting with a world of low maze levels, or especially when interacting with individuals who have not embraced the maze nature, mazes are at a large competitive disadvantage versus non-mazes. Organizations with too-high maze levels become more likely to fail.
By default, mazes have a disadvantage. The claim is that as society collectively becomes more mazelike, a) the relative disadvantage of being a maze begins to fall, b) mazes collectively create an interface where it’s easier to get ahead if you are conforming to the maze culture. (This could mean that society collectively becomes disadvantaged against other societies)
Note that earlier, Zvi specifically says:
By default, mazes have a disadvantage. The claim is that as society collectively becomes more mazelike, a) the relative disadvantage of being a maze begins to fall, b) mazes collectively create an interface where it’s easier to get ahead if you are conforming to the maze culture. (This could mean that society collectively becomes disadvantaged against other societies)