[gunderson]

the simplest explanation of REST:

the URL is part of the UI, both to the user and to api consumers.

If you think of it that way, REST makes a lot of sense. Sure there can be other elegant approaches, but REST is one that has gathered steam b/c it addresses this in a logical, useful way.

[gruseom]

the URL is part of the UI, both to the user and to api consumers

This is not an explanation of REST. There are lots of designs that adhere to that general principle and yet don't follow REST at all.