I say we elect 3 regular MacRumours and photography forum members to pick the topic for us over the next 4 months. They can decide amongst themselves, and that just saves us this uninteresting bit where we all vote. They could even announce the topic for all 4 months in advance so that we're not surprised later (if we want it that way).
After 4 months, we elect another 3 people to pick the topic for the next 4 months. There's just too much dead time in between assignments. I'd rather there be less formality. It's just too much. Personally, you can pick whatever topic you want, and I'll still try to shoot it.