(personal opinion begins) ...theme democracy sucks. I keep seeing the least exciting themes swim up to finals. Feel free to disagree but I'm starting to think LD may have attracted a lot of people who don't understand LD spirit, and who are upvoting themes which will improve their chances of "winning" rather than ones which will challenge them as game designers. Worst themes fall into two categories: 1) themes which define genre or gameplay more than they should, 2) themes which are seen to often in commercial published games. Best themes are the ones which are just an idea, a word or two or a sentence not related to gameplay.

Also, did you ever had a feeling that there might be such a thing as "Ludum Dare theme mafia", groups of developers&friends who organize into upvoting themes which will suit them rather than ones which will challenge them? Call me paranoid, I would agree. Anyway, good luck everyone and have fun on this upcoming LD.