Tom Ford’s Black Lacquer is a bold and avant-garde addition to the Private Blend collection, offering a complex olfactory journey that begins with spicy black pepper and boozy rum, intertwined with synthetic nuances of vinyl and Indian ink, evoking the glossy texture of lacquer. As the fragrance evolves, it reveals a heart of smoky Makassar ebony wood and subtle leather, softened by hints of apricot and peony, adding a delicate sweetness to the composition. The base is characterised by resinous olibanum and elemi, leaving a lingering smoky and slightly spicy finish. While Black Lacquer boasts commendable longevity, its moderate sillage makes it an intimate scent, best suited for evening wear during cooler seasons. Presented in a sleek, glossy black bottle that mirrors its name, this fragrance stands as a testament to Tom Ford’s ability to craft scents that are both provocative and refined, making it a distinctive choice for those seeking depth and sophistication in their fragrance collection.
Improvements
March 25, 2025
Today's improvements focused on fixing errors and enhancing the prompt analysis display. I resolved React errors caused by the diff-match-patch library by implementing a local version of the library instead of relying on an external CDN. We then completely redesigned the prompt analysis section to make it more user-friendly, first by simplifying it to a clean, concise summary and then by adding intelligent keyword highlighting that automatically identifies and color-codes important terms like clarity, specificity, and scientific to help users quickly understand what makes their prompts effective. A color-coded legend was added below the summary to explain what each highlight represents. These changes not only fixed the technical issues but also transformed the analysis into a more readable, visually engaging component that gives users immediate insight into their prompt's strengths.
Colder
March 23, 2025
Big temperature drop today. Feels more like March should be. Decided to watch John Carpenter's The Thing, which I haven't watched for a few years. Also bought some albums from Brian Grainger.
Also just discovered Michael J. Blood - Spaces In Between.
Sounds good, especially if you like the work of Actress, Gescom, Larry Heard or Shinichi Atobe.
Updates
March 21, 2025
Made several design improvements to the prompt engineering form, enabling easier data capture and allowing rankings in multiple ways. This will enhance training effectiveness. Additionally, I have included a copy icon to conveniently transfer the text to another agent.
I’ve finally decided to use both Claude Code and Cursor for my editing, as each has strengths in different areas. Claude Code operates via the command line, whereas Cursor is a standalone application, making it beneficial to have both available. For many months, I’ve been waiting for OpenAI to provide complete agent integration, but even now, my preferred application, Nova by Panic, lacks support.
True agent integration likely only became fully available with Cursor about a month ago, and Claude Code itself is also very new, having been released on February 24th.
Chinese AI Influence in the West
March 17, 2025
The rapid advancement of Chinese artificial intelligence has significantly reshaped the global AI landscape, particularly in the Western world. Companies like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent have developed sophisticated AI models and applications that have forced Western tech giants to accelerate their own AI development. The emergence of Chinese AI companies offering competitive products at lower costs has created a new dynamic in the market, pushing Western companies to innovate faster and consider more aggressive AI deployment strategies. This influence extends beyond just technology companies, as Chinese AI solutions are increasingly being adopted by Western businesses seeking to maintain competitive advantages in an increasingly automated world.
The impact of Chinese AI development has also led to significant shifts in Western policy and regulatory frameworks. Governments and organizations in the West are now grappling with how to balance the benefits of Chinese AI technology with concerns about data privacy, national security, and technological sovereignty. This has resulted in new regulations and restrictions on Chinese AI investments and partnerships, while also prompting increased investment in domestic AI capabilities. The competitive pressure from Chinese AI development has catalyzed a new era of technological innovation in the West, as companies and governments work to maintain their technological edge while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of AI development.