The nice thing is that you can test out what you like about linux on mint cinnamon.
I installed it to get to know Linux "the soft way" and now love to use the terminal and got to know a buch of underlying concepts and whatnot. And I still use and love mint cinnamon.
A friend installed it and hasn't configured anything, just uses its GUI and is very happy that way.
So I think the creators really hit the balance of ease of use and possibility to tinker, while ensuring great stability ("it just works"). Big props btw.
There is a company in switzerland (i think?) that does it. So the employees vote on whos gonna be boss for the next year and whos gonna get hired and all that stuff, not just voting out.
I have seen a documentary about it and they all were VERY happy to work in that enrivonment