I agree on your mid-field point, S77, both as to its operational prudence and the differences that still occur as a consequence of the usual appallingly inadequate pilot education and change rejection (it’s not longer change fatigue, but active rejection).
But if you’re joining crosswind, the recommended procedure is to do it mid-field.
And moving the recommended procedure (back) to crosswind joins over the upwind threshold rather than mid-field doesn’t alter the desirability of departures overhead being above the circuit height. Whatever the joining procedures may be, spearing across the runway from the active side to the dead side mid-field at circuit height isn’t a good idea.
Assuming left circuits are required, if I’m taking off North and want to track East, I’ll either remain on upwind until 3 miles and 500’ above circuit height and turn right, or do a slow, left, climbing turn until I’m 500’ above circuit height on the active side and depart overhead.