[e12e]

I don't agree. If the point was to only document REST (and not the other architectures) -- then yes, it could have been a lot shorter. I think it gives a good overview of architectures in general, and ways to look at and analyse software. This way it makes a much better argument for REST -- and contrast it with other styles in common use at the time (and to a lesser extent, today).

I also don't think it is particularly wandering or obtuse.

> It reads like something from the philosophy department

Well, it is titled for "doctor of philosophy" ;-) (in Information and Computer Science).

BTW, how long is that DNA article? A cursory search only reveals articles that are cut off on the second page (at "inner-").