While the majority of online users attempt to bend their arm from the side, some successful attempts have been made while bending from the front instead.
For research purposes, this writer attempted both ways and discovered that indeed, trying to touch your shoulder from the side is significantly harder than from the front. The elbow's movement is much less restricted that way.
So perhaps everyone freaking out at not being able to do the trick should take a moment to compose themselves before attempting it again from the front.
If you tried this for yourself, what were your results? Are you able to do it or are you hopelessly flapping your palm less than an inch away from making touchdown on your shoulder? Let us know!