One thing you need to consider is that usually the popcorn ceilings or even troweled ceilings create a lot of dust plus it's an easy way for builders to hide imperfections and slam things through on cheap houses.If you scrape you might find a bunch of leveling problems and other things exposed that looks like crap unless it is coated and hidden in some way.The higher end homes here have the smooth ceilings just like the walls with heavy trim packages.

If it took more than a few minutes a month, I would hand it over to someone else to manage, but with it being pretty hands off, Im perfectly fine managing myself.  

Take massive imperfect action and you will reap the rewards!

Imperfect biological machines with all the passions, desires, fears and destructive, irrational behaviors of animals we observe in the nature.

They talk about "Progress, not Perfection" and "Massive Imperfect Action". 

Just as a military order is invalid if it's unlawful or unconstitutional.That is not to say you won't get arrested or face a court martial.In the history of our country many sheriffs have disobeyed or didn't enforce laws they believed to be unconstitutional.Alas though our union is imperfect and in the quest for power politicians do pass and enact laws they know or should know won't pass constitutional muster.I heard a talk show host ask the Governor of New Jersey why he thought he had the power to make religious services unlawful.

Leave 3/16” for imperfections and buy matching grout/ caulk that doesn’t require annual sealing.

There is no Theory there is no hypotheticals it's all real life imperfect action taken to get deals closed and you see everything behind the curtain! 

Also, would it be better to go for a darker color to hide any future imperfections, or does it matter?

One thing that's burned into my mind while listening through the podcasts and reading is TAKE MASSIVE IMPERFECT ACTION!