Me and my friends are planning on doing a 24-hour game jam after school's out. I was thinking that it would be fun if we received a random mechanic that we have to base our games around, like what these guys did:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2438/how_to_prototype_a_game_in_under_7_.php

I've made a list of a few possible mechanics/topics:
-Flight
-Falling
-Flinging
-Fluids
-Flame/heat
-Light
-Jumping
-Wind
-Clouds
-Electricity & magnetism
-Particles
-Paper clip/pen/random object
-Gravity in space
-Projectiles
-Trees
-Rhythm/music
-Technology/Programming (as in, a game where the player learns a simple language to solve problems etc.)

Using a random generator one would be picked from the list and we would design around that topic.
Is this a good way to do a small game jam, and if it is, do you have any more suggestions for mechanics?

Great additions to the list! We will PM you a little before/during the jam (somewhere near May 25/26).