your instincts are right, it comes down to (1) how long the beam is and (2) how heavy. You'd agree, if the beam is heavy "enough" it stays put. How heavy is that? I gotta do some math here, where's that paper and pen...
(later)
Answer - heavy. To a first approximation, if the attachment point is 2.5' off the floor and the beam extends 2.5' beyond the hammock on each side, the beam would have to weigh twice the shear force to stay put. For a 200 lb occupant and the hammock attaching with a 30 degree angle the shear force is 173 lbs.
now if you happened to have a couple pallets of bricks sitting in the basement...
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