GraphQL and REST are two different approaches to building APIs, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. GraphQL is a query language that allows for more flexibility and power, but also requires a different architecture and can be less compatible with the web. REST, on the other hand, is a set of constraints that make an API compatible with the web, but can be less flexible. The author argues that GraphQL and REST should not be seen as mutually exclusive, but rather as complementary technologies that can work together to build powerful APIs. By exposing a REST API in front of a GraphQL API, developers can leverage the benefits of both worlds, including scalability, flexibility, and compatibility with the web. This approach allows for caching, batching, and other optimizations that are not possible when using GraphQL alone.