They are absolutely not geniuses. Anyone with an above average IQ can see that.
Those that stated the current batch are dummied down versions of their earlier peers have it mostly right. The reason for this, quite simply is the organization is authoritarian in nature. Authoritarianism exists on far right of the socio-political spectrum. Ultra-conservative groups like the WT breed and promote these types of "leaders". With every iteration of newly promoted individuals comes increased requirements for obedience to that authority, and decreased levels of logical approach. This is how authoritarian organizations feed on themselves and eventually die off. They cannot evolve properly in a society that is increasingly better informed, (overall), so their methods become more about control and submission to authority rather than any appeal to critical thought. WT are not alone in this. All fundamentalist organizations, (religious or otherwise), follow a similar pattern.
The men at the top are merely a representation of the organization that sponsored them. Hopelessly backwards, and doing everything in their power to prevent others from figuring that out. What they fail to understand is that only makes things worse for their position, and hastens their demise.
Make no mistake, lakeside compounds or not, these guys are not intelligent by even the most basic of measures. One needs to look no further than Donald Trump to see one can be successful and still be an idiot.
d4g