I think a horde of Smiths could deal with the high end ones easily, so if he bolstered his numbers on the lesser ones first it wouldn't be tough, and he's probably fast enough to do it. I'd also think they're living because the name soil of genesis is like... screaming "alive" to me.
The reabsorption thing could be interpreted in a few ways. One is that they don't reabsorb because Smith doesn't technically kill them, so they don't hit that step where they'd reabsorb. Another is that Smith wrenches control of them and they aren't able to reabsorb. Another is that they reabsorb still under Smith's control and Smith is able to do a Matrix Revolutions Neo against nrvnqsr from in there. Another is that the guy takes them back and takes control back.
If there's no real evidence either way I personally like one of the first two theories.
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No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!