Frederic's nomadic nature and whether to move country

Frederic revisits the earlier description of himself as nomadic, which he does not recognize.

The Wonders explain that although he does not move physically from place to place, he moves from job to job: he likes and wants change, is content with the same thing for one, two or three years, and by the third year has itchy feet.

He has often tamped this down and stayed because it was expected or because he did not want to lose something, but his nature is always to look for change.

He replies that he was thinking geographically and genuinely enjoys where he lives; the Wonders call it his home base, but note he has considered moving it many times and always finds a reason to stay - he looks every year, which satisfies the nomadic side, and the comfortable side usually wins.

On where he might go, given that Europe is not going in a good direction, they run through options: Iceland is good but very cold and he does not enjoy freezing; Scotland is like standing under a shower most of the year; New Zealand is interesting and enjoyed by many but brings earthquakes and volcanoes he is not used to, unlike Europe unless the Alps reactivate; Switzerland would probably be the most interesting place for him but is not necessarily better, and though it has tried to remain neutral it is eyed by Russia for its resources, as is the smaller Luxembourg.

They emphasize that the world is in flux - not only physically but in social structures, countries, leaders, psychologies and belief structures - and that as a well-informed person raising a well-informed family he sees through what people claim to be doing, leaving the question of whether he wants to be part of it.

On the United States, they ask whether he is not glad not to be there now.

Frederic notes that world leaders in the US, China and Russia are old, while in France younger figures may be worse because they no longer believe in democracy; the Wonders ask what such people would replace democracy with, answering that it would be another authoritarian enterprise, and remark that France is not a young country.

The conclusion: where he is now is a pretty good place, and he might as well sing its praises.

Frederic notes the main advantage of Switzerland would be money, but that this is not the main point.