Shifted Levers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TniRMwL2Vg
The combination of two triple levers (black) with one shifted lower, creates a significant overbalancing effect on the left. The model was built to illustrate the original idea that is taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srBbJSzaqOg
It just looks overbalanced.
The weight of each bar/flag is applied equally to the arm it is attached to.
Since each bar/flag weighs the same (assumed) the same weight is applied at all three points.
One could argue that the increased distance from the mechanism center to an extended flag creates a higher leverage on the whole mechanism but it doesn't. The effect of higher leverage is defeated by the combined joints.
It is a clever optical illusion. The real center of rotation of the "flags" is not where you think it is ;) How many flags are going uphill to going down hill? it can't work, there is no gain in weight on one side, only a loss O0
Run the vid in slow motion and look at the flags only.
The motion is run by an external means, not the flags.
regards
Mike 8)