Immich does use traditional folders (it’s one of the parameters) but it does a copy there. It stores the pictures in multiple formats/resolutions and does some caching and whatnot, so it probably wouldn’t be a nice sight. Right now. On the other hand it does organize your collection in the pattern that you give it, for instance year/month/day_hour_minute.jpg. It could probably be implemented in the future to have the meta-images somewhere hidden and leave the collection alone, but that all requires effort and coordination. And everyone has their photos organized in their own little snowflake method.

Having said that, I totally understand your point. I’ll yell at the cloud with you.