I struggle with this, why not use a rod and reel? You can fish light, but have the ability to feed out line if needed. I can see why match anglers want to whip out as many small fish as possible in the shortest space of time, don't think it's great fishing, but understandable. Why would a pleasure angler use these tactics? If there is the possibility of hooking a decent fish, you can use skill with the rod and drag on your reel to land it, often on a very fine set up. Hook it on a whip, you snap off. Sure, use a small, weaker hooklink, but still snap off with a fish on the end.
What is the point?
I understand your point ( I hope ) - but does that mean we should all only fish with a rod and reel in case we hook a decent fish ?
I have fished light on a pole and had some monster take me halfway across the lake and then break the hooklink - does that mean I shouldn't fish a pole light ?
Taking it to its extreme ( which you were not suggesting ) why fish light at all ?
You can land quite sizeable fish on a whip ( 5 plus tench on a canal ) todays lines are still very fine even up to a decent breaking strain.
But the real question is why fish this method at all ?
Why do people fish with antique reels ?
For the pure pleasure of it
you are in direct contact with the fish
you can place you bait very accurately
you dont get the shadow of a pole
you dont have to ship a pole in and out
Whips are cheap ( mine is ) and can take a lot of abuse
you can reach further with a whip
Some whips are elasticated
try it you may enjoy it