Sunset on Lake Victoria with two boats bobbing on the waves. Taken by Matthew Stephens

Field Notes

Drawing on my academic heritage in the social sciences, this section is called Field Notes. It’s a mix of essays, ethnography, academic theory, independent research and analysis, and related blog entries.

Matthew Stephens 9/19/25 Matthew Stephens 9/19/25

You Can Never Go Home

You Can Never Go Home, reflections from 36,000 feet.

Home isn’t just a place — it’s a moment in time. But what happens when you return and find that everything has changed, including yourself? This is a story of loss, nostalgia, and the shifting landscape of America. Have you ever felt like you could never go home again?