As Gillian also heard in compiling the Business Scotland programme, there are significant success stories in the sector - the rapid growth of Skyscanner, based in central Edinburgh and using some very smart software to eat up share of the vast online airline ticket booking market.

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Smart machines proliferate like bunnies and eat bits like horses.

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We are smart enough to make our own decisions about what to eat and drink.

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Most bizarre was the smart spoon, which is designed to encourage you to eat more slowly - if you spoon food into your mouth rapidly the spoon handle throbs with a warning signal.

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Klassen, who has chronicled his push to 300 pounds from 450 pounds on the GeekFit Podcast, suggests geeky dieters use a timer to remind themselves when they should eat, and keeping a fridge full of healthy food, such as Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine.

FORBES: Magazine Article