I see nothing wrong with a complex subway map and it is absolutely not a disadvantage. Try comparing it to a map of the roads maybe? A 2D space served by 1D lines necessitate a mesh-like network to do well, has nothing to do with transit or cars, a comprehensive system will always look like this.
And you memorize literally all the stations and their order if you take transit regularly.
This is me currently getting my drivers licence. I hate being in a car but I need to regularly transport a ton of refrigerated food. I hate nothing more than being in a car.
It's hard to tell, because it's hard to imagine that anyone would desire to be in the situation of the people in the second picture. Unless you take it specifically to rub yourself against other people obviously.
I have been in the Beijing metro and lived in Hong Kong for a while. I would actually prefer their sprawling metro system than to drive in cars everywhere. Sure its uncomfortable with 100 million people but i really hate driving.