Cry me a tier or two

Continuing this post, in this article Stein uses the idea of tiers and levels within tiers. There are several tiers that go up to principled systems. He seems to equate the single principle tier with what is referred to as the beginning of second tier in kennilingus (see chart on 123) and notes that within this (or any) tier a differentiation between its structure and content must be made.

"The mere use of particular catch-phrases or the espousal of particular views would no longer serve to signify Second Tier. Instead we would look through this content towards the underlying structure to see if Second Tier capabilities are in evidence. It would allow us to understand the range of views that can be manifested with the scope of certain structural parameters [...] i.e, there is more than one way to be Second Tier and some forms are better than others" (131).

I especially like this from Stein:
"These higher levels are rare, so data is hard to find, but initial finding suggest that the lexicon of these highest levels is variable and idiosyncratic, involving the construction of neologisms embodying extremely abstract conceptions" (122).

In this regard see a host of theurjisms here, from assholon to kennilingus to hiersynarchy and more.