No it proves my point, not yours. Rice won't absorb moisture from normal room air. That is why rice doesn't become moist or soggy in air but stays dry and hard to the touch, and will dry out if wet. What it will do is absorb water on contact. Rice is water absorbent but it is not a desiccant. Leave the lid off, thanks.
*facepalm*
Just what do you think the rice does for your potentially water-damaged electronics then, genius? Any "contact" absorption is useless because the water had already left the device. Leaving the lid off because, as you say, the rice does not dry out the air around it, would mean that *oops* you don't need rice at all in the first place!
The advice to use rice also goes along with putting it in a warm place too. Obviously, a dehumidifier, warmth,
DRY air flow, silica gel and removal of the housing are the best practices, but not many are equipped for that. Either, as you say, dry rice + warmth is completely ineffective (sealed or not) or it is at least better than letting it dry on its own for the reasons stated in my scenario.