One aspect of this is that since the overall direction is down, and the wavy ramp never inclines above the linear ramp, the inclined parts in the wavy ramp are more like a neutral slope which gets you back to the linear ramp only to decline again. So momentum gained by the more drastic slope is not subtracted by an equal incline.

To be contrarian on the meme, I would say this isn’t actually an example of ups and downs. Only downs. The wavy ramp was born rich and had things given to it on a silver platter. A true up and down ramp/life would incline above the steady linear line in equal measure departing from the linear slope (-) and (+). To reach the end at the same level.