Bike porn

how would one ride on top of the shifters with that saddle height?

I'm assuming the rider is a short male with a relativly long spine compared to rest of his* body. I'd likely have the saddle a 2 cm or so up. But otherwise its my size.
(*assumption based on bike set-up)

Cheap compared with Look Keo Blades or Speedplay Zero Ti, positively bargain basement compared with Speedplay Nanogram.

I'm not sure its fair comparing them to pedals with actual reliable retention systems.