I havent used the Mac version, but you can download a demo and decide for yourself at http://www.discreet.comhttp://www.discreet.com. Id say the Flint mentality has always been for a pure artist (like the Mac mentality). Combustion is a very close cousin to Flint and carries a lot of the same work flows and gui design. The rest came from Paint/Effect. I've yet to use another compositing package like it.
As far as their direction goes, all I know is that Discreet makes some of the best effects software on the market, and has done so longer than almost everyone else out there. They have a lot of great technology and innovations. Since SGI is in its current situation a lot of the great technology that used to only be available on products like the O2 and Octane even, are now being ported to Windows and Mac. Those are some of the reasons why we support it.
I will see if I can get more information about their Mac direction for you though.
Will