SBF, I think you make good points. My observation here locally is that a lot of people are uncomfortable with how the GB presents itself on the videos (classless and tacky), but no one is talking. (The silence is LOUD!!!)
As for the book study, eliminating that was a big mistake. They should have eliminated the school/service meeting instead, people really find that boring, at least the book study had some social aspect to it people enjoyed.
When it comes to the overlapping generation doctrine, anointed numbers going up, and the ARC hearings, I notice that if you bring it up the subject gets changed quickly. Hmmmm..... no one is talking.
Meanwhile, my elderly mother (who actually has the means to do so) hasn't given anything in ages. She's so confused by the changes she doesn't think about giving more money. (And will I remind her? Noooooooo) She won't watch the videos either, they make her "nervous".
Everyone else here locally is of modest income and doesn't have much to contribute. Serves them right.