Like a lot of these types of videos, I want them to be true.
However, my brain immediately starts screaming the there is something wrong here. And yes, the first thought I had was how precise those pieces of cardboard needed to be, mainly because of weight. also how hitting the center for the axle had to be absolutely precise to guarantee balance. (Precision I don't think you can get from cardboard.)

As far as the wight of lifting each of those flaps back up, I wouldn't think that the swinging flap would have enough energy to keep it going. Visually I see it happening in the video but I immediately question it. Again I want it to be true - think of the possibilities - but the skeptic in me tells me something else is at play here, even if I can't see it.

In reply to this comment by dannym3141:
Hi, don't know if you're satisfied about this video yet but;

If you accept purely gravitational motion, then the kinetic energy gained from lowering any individual card segment must be paid back in full when you raise it back up on the other side. Now factor in resistances (the pen cartridge axle, air resistance, and it's making noise which is a form of energy) and you quickly realise that for the whole thing to spin there must be an external application of energy.

Even consider how accurately he would have had to cut all those cardboard pieces to make them the exact same weight so that heavier ones didn't cause the contraption to slow. I can attest that i've made these types of things as a kid, as soon as you start building one you start to feel why it can't work; you can kinda feel the principle of conservation of energy yourself.

I have references if you need :
In reply to this comment by Sagemind:
Comments on YouTube claim that this is somehow fake - that there is a fan somehow blowing on it.

I see no fan in the one direction they show and his body blocks it from any wind on the other side while he is filming so..

Any takers...?

Like the dude with the flapping wings, I just so want this to be true that I keep coming back to it.

the relative rigidity of the flaps of cardboard contributes to their tendency to straighten, thereby pushing wind into the flap before them in the direction of the turn. Over time, however, this rigidity will weaken and the flaps will need to be replaced.

On a separate note, is the cameraman drunk?? zooming in an out and unable to hold the camera still for shit!

I've never had a nice chicken breast start flapping at me. Think I'll stick with land-based meats.

>> ^SevenFingers:

>> ^00Scud00:
Piss Flaps. Yep, I can thank Deadwood for that lovely euphemism.

Good ole Calamity Jane... if I remember right


Really? I could swear I thought I heard the doctor say it, which just made it even better.

>> ^00Scud00:

Piss Flaps. Yep, I can thank Deadwood for that lovely euphemism.


Good ole Calamity Jane... if I remember right

Piss Flaps. Yep, I can thank Deadwood for that lovely euphemism.

Ah, yes.
The combination of the crunchy cheetos shredding the top of my mouth and the flaming hotness entrenched in the resulting flaps of skin.
Good Times, indeed.

(this is very snarky, but I do love them)

Why not just flap your arms and fly to the moon?

Isn't the door opening the wrong way anyway? If it opens with the hinges at the tail, all the force of the wind is pushing against it moving forward and it's either flapping out in the wind or being torn off. You'd never be able to close it again.

Isn't this like humans fighting with skin flaps? Shoulda lightsabers.

wow look at that poor guy in the background.. the sandstorm is so strong it's flapping his leg all over the place

flap your wings harder!!

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Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Damn those birdmen - not to be trusted.>> ^TheSluiceGate:

IT'S OVER!!
He's admitted it's a hoax on the news:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/03/birdman-admits-hoax/