Why not use a directory structure instead of the 'mod' keyword to create modules?

54 points EdgedSurf

The Rust book has the following module tree:

https://preview.redd.it/if36ftnngy181.png?width=315&format=png&auto=webp&s=58a98f273c2dd05e99b2230408bb09bd1978d199

The book states that "The module tree might remind you of the filesystem’s directory tree on your computer; this is a very apt comparison!"

So why not use a directory structure to define modules instead of the mod keyword. And for imports, use something like javascript where the local path is defined? This would make it so that the extra keywords of super and self are not needed.

What insights am I missing out on that make this a better system?