Proc (block) and function scoping are different. wat.

scope.rb

def printer x
  def helper
    puts x
  end
  helper
end

printer "test" # NameError: undefined local variable or method `x' for main:Object

def printer x
  helper = Proc.new do
    puts x
  end
  helper.call
end

printer "test" # test. It works!

# Nested function definitions do not capture variables from the outer scope, but Procs (blocks) do. Why, Ruby, why?

This makes sense to me.

A Proc/block includes a closure of it's scope (it's big part of what makes them so useful).
A method on the other hand does not, it would be inefficient, wouldn't have a use, and might interfere with other behavior (and if you need the closure you can use a Proc/block).

Why is it useful for a block to capture variables, but not for an inner function?