They both wanted to become their own gods, SEELE and Gendo Ikari. The whole world was in their sway. [Staring off into the distance, still speaking idly, not sounding too concerned.
Then he focusses back on Nick.] I had a job and a purpose in my world, but I also had the Old Men breathing down my neck constantly. I suppose that depends on whether I value freedom more than I dislike boredom.
[There's a million other issues, of course, most pressing being his biological imperative to reunite with Adam and the lack of Shinji. But he doesn't feel like making himself vulnerable right now.]