I find that when I'm having trouble thinking of the right word to use in a post that AI can help get me started. I don't take it any further than that. This post gives an example from yesterday.
A high-end bookseller recently purchased a 1930A-1 Nancy Drew Hidden Staircase in dust jacket. Fans are skeptical that this bookseller can turn a profit on a rough condition book and jacket that he purchased for $1,312.00. I have no doubt that he will profit off the book.
Many people don't understand that a hierarchy of booksellers exists. This bookseller is at the very top of the hierarchy. He will be able to sell the book at an inflated price.
I am in the process of writing what will be either two or three posts about this situation. I will cover convenience fees, the hierarchy of booksellers, and the auction itself. Yesterday, I was working on the part about the hierarchy of booksellers.
I was struggling with how to describe the situation. I was going to ask AI for help with what word or phrase to use, but I finally realized that "hierarchy" would be sufficient. I then decided to use "tier" for each level. But then I thought of the word "echelon," which I've always liked.
Since I had already started a question to AI, I decided to finish it by asking what it thought about "tier" and "echelon," knowing that I had already decided and didn't really need its help. In fact, the process of composing my original question to AI caused me to figure out the answer on my own.
I submitted this to AI:
I am writing an article about the types of booksellers. Some booksellers purchase books from thrift stores and sell them online cheaply. The next level consists of sellers who then purchase the cheap books online and then resell them online at higher prices at more exclusive sites. The next level of bookseller purchases from the more exclusive sites and then marks the books up again to sell to wealthy clientele.
I plan to refer to this as the "hierarchy of booksellers." I want to use the word "tier" to describe each level. The word "echelon" might also work. Which term do you think would be better?
This is how AI responded:
That's a really interesting concept—you're capturing a kind of informal supply chain within the world of used and rare books. Between "tier" and "echelon," the better choice depends a bit on the tone you want for your article.
Here's a comparison:
Tier
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Pros: Clear, accessible, and neutral. Readers instantly understand that there are levels, like in a pyramid or pricing structure. It also aligns well with modern language around commerce and services (e.g., "subscription tiers").
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Cons: Slightly more utilitarian or technical. It may feel a bit flat if you're going for a richer, more literary tone.
Echelon
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Pros: Has a bit more elegance and nuance. It can suggest social hierarchy, status, or exclusivity, which may work well for the idea of progressively more elite bookselling layers.
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Cons: Slightly more formal or military in origin, so it might feel too elevated or obscure for some readers.
Recommendation:
If your article has a journalistic, analytical, or blog-style tone, “tier” is likely your best bet—it’s clear, modern, and keeps the focus on the structure.
If your tone leans more toward the literary, cultural, or reflective, “echelon” might give your piece an extra layer of depth and sophistication.
Or—you could combine them! For example:
"At each tier—or echelon—of this hierarchy, the value of the book is reshaped by context and clientele."
I find that AI can be useful for helping me to parse my thoughts. I don't use it to write posts, since I want to write my own content based on what I think. AI can't do that for me.
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