You know, the flaming bag is really the thinking man's poo prank

[LostInAnomie]

Mostly because of the expedience necessary to remedy the situation puts the victim in an untenable situation. They can either choose leave it burning until they can find something handy to put it out, thereby risking property damage. Or, they have to bite the proverbial bullet and mash the fetid bag with their foot.

It really is a lose/lose situation. Brilliant!

[petronius]

1. You're right - it's far more intellectual than just flinging the poo...

I never realized that before - I guess I'm not deep enough. :(

[-..__...]

2. The thinking man (or woman), could piss on it.

Then again... the combined smell of burning shit and piss steam isn't much of an alternative either.

[Bat Boy]

3. The difference between us and monkeys.

Oh, they can bag it. They just can't get the bag lit. That's why they just throw it.

And that's what makes us superior.

[LostInAnomie]

4. The whole prank plays on our natural primitive fear of fire.

As soon as the door is cracked the trap is sprung. We see the fire and something deeply primitive is evoked and we HAVE to put it out. Before the higher brain functions can kick in the bag has been smooshed, and the victim is full of self loathing. Oh yes, the man who created the flaming bag knew the human psyche well.

[Az]

5. The thinking man

is able to determine who did it, get a shovel, carry the flaming turd bomb to the pranker's house and throw it on the roof.