If you’re going to stand atop a skyscraper on a windy day to sink a shot from 583 feet up, you better get very familiar with the Magnus effect. It’s a safe bet that, judging from the outcome, Harlem Globetrotter Buckets Blakes was a fast study on the scientific phenomenon.
In orthodox observance of World Trick Shot Day (a holiday that the Globetrotters actually created), Blake stood atop the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio on a cloudy, windy day and set out to achieve history. If he has a fear of heights, hopefully the safety harness he wore while shooting put him at ease.
Here’s the video, posted by the Globetrotters:
He didn’t call “bank” on the shot, but we’ll let it slide because, well, he was an eighth of a mile above the basket when he shot the ball.
You might notice the ball takes a very bizarre path to the basket, seemingly fall straight down, then flying toward the hoop in almost perpendicular fashion. That’s not an optical illusion or camera trick. That’s the Magnus effect, which causes a spinning object to slightly (then extremely) pull away from its initial course. Backspin makes the ball kick WAY out (away from the person tossing).
Here it is on display in a trick shot that previously set the record from atop a dam 415-feet high:
When you start dealing with distances this extreme, physics has an exponentially more profound effect.
We might not get to see all the failed attempts it took for the Globetrotter to knock down his shot, but he made it, and we accidentally learned some physics. Good job all around.
Here’s more on the Magnus effect for you curious minds out there:
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Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.