[Jeff Lee]

Chris, The "hit" on a gear change is adjusted primarily thru counter-weight. So to answer your question, yes, todays clutches are not only less violent off the line, but also on the gear changes.
As also stated, you have to throw out the methods of yester-year. But it's amazing not only who, but what companies can't do so. There lies the problems with the perceptions of clutches being difficult.
I've got ten years on my Jerico and have yet to have a worn or broken part. I take that back, I did change out the front bearing retainer once. I just sold a complete set of Jerico gears and they looked brand new. I've changed ratio's in my Dana 60 several times and have never seen a gear that wasn't in perfect condition as it came out.
I have a 634 HP SS engine running in front of a Stock Eliminator chassis (Cal-Track bars & springs, stock frame rails, Advanced Clutch, 9x29.5 M/T's). I have 1.38 60' times and best of 10.02 @ 132.01. Oh, and that's at 7800 RPM launch / 7500 RPM shift. That would not be possible with "old school" clutch in my opinion.
I'm in the process of ladder-bar / sway bar / coil-over and mini-tubs, still factory frame-rails & a dual 7" clutch.