Being a JW wasn't much fun after that - at least nothing like it was in the late 1940s to early 1960s. There was no longer any joy in Watchtowerland. Many of my former acquaintances experienced major mental and physical problems that could be directly tied to the new policies that the Society embraced and enforced. Shunning, lots of shunning - unlike anything we'd seen before.
Wow.....it looks like the legalism and control gradually grew over time. I think once the control changed from the president to a body of men (the GB) in the 70's, the proverbial brown stuff really hit the fan in terms of control and micro management.