Ooh, ooh...
Google me!
When you google me, you'll see
I am immortal; more specifically, I am a theorem: the John-Nirenberg Theorem.
It states that “functions of bounded mean oscillation are exponentially integrable.”
iI have no idea what this means but this theorem is named for the two mathematicians who developed “bounded mean oscillation:” Fritz John and Louis Nirenberg who are forever intertwined with an equally distinguished management author, professor, a great human being and world traveler – moi. (Don't you love my unsophisticated use of French?)
Though mathematical theorems may be immortal, I am not. Life on Earth has a way of ending. That’s a given. And I am now hanging out at the duty-free store in the departure lounge, so to speak. As I reflect on that fact, and before my gate is announced, I just want to tell you my story - I hope you find it engaging and, even fascinating.
So, consider this My Living Obituary.
The few years that I've enjoyed on Earth have been lots of fun. What a remarkable life! And, I just want to say "so-long.” I hope, when the time comes, the motorcade, flotilla, fireworks, schools, museums, banks, government office closings will not be too much of an inconvenience.
Indeed, reflecting on the last 78+ years of my life, thus far, that it is still hard to imagine having experienced all that I have. Though I didn't attend the “Eras tour” or Taylor's latest record-setting album launch (her 15th). My own experiences gave me a similar joy of simply living a healthy, physically fit, life, except toward the very end. Though I wish I could have lost a few pounds, and would have preferred fewer visits to my doctors, I fully enjoyed the experience of life itself;
---- plus, I experienced pleasure, learning, friendships, and knowing that the people who I met in 162 countries and territories showed me kindness or at least helpful indifference;
----the sheer wonder that life was so unimaginable and yet was so thoroughly fabulous that I won’t be able to make sense of it all before the end, before it is absolutely too late!
And, perhaps I will change my mind, maybe several more times yet again in determining what it all really meant. And in the end, ecstasy or agony, delight or despondency, my time will run out. I may change my mind yet again and, just remember, I was here! That should be enough!
So, I have chosen to make sense of some of my life and to share some thoughts with you as a sort of a parting gift. Thanks for the memories.
Aside from the unusual nature of the coincidence between my name and a mathematical theorem, the truth is I'm just one of a million other professors in the USA. And an ordinary one at that. And no matter what work you chose or talent you developed or skill you created and the people you called your friends or family at this point, its significance is up to you. You decide....
I hope you enjoyed the ride.....I did!
I’m Not Exactly Unique, But I Am Unusual.
Several years ago this Celebratory Brooklyn Bridge Run marked my 70th birthday reunion with my brothers. The tour included several hangouts (mostly stoops on 10th street, Washington Square Park), schools (PS 3, 41, H.S. of Commerce ), museums, apartments, and a final visit to the Coney Island Nathans.
Notice
Everything about this website is subject to change: when it is "live," the text, photos, videos, and even the duration of the site itself is subject to change. Momentary and periodic alterations will be especially frequent in the early days of 2026...
This website is a tentative effort to take an artistic revelatory first step to engage with my history and MEMORIES and to see if people could let me know how they knew/know me and when by writing to John@DrJohnNirenberg.Com Please feel free to write as much or as little as you wish as long as you identify yourself and how we know each other. Thanks.
This commentary about aspects of my 78+ years is an
Archaeology of a Life
This website is an autobiographic review of my life, but with elements of memoir, plus an idiosyncratic, psychoanalytic and with some varied perspectives that benefit from my wistful and "Looneytoon" pirate sometimes Walter Mittyesk life.
I hope my friends will agree that the overriding theme of my life is of:
Love, Community, and Service.
Here is a glimpse of what
my ordinary American life, has been about; What's your story?
Haven't you had enough of those so-called self-made billionnaire 20-something "influencers" taking over the space between your mouse and your retina?
Read on....about an almost 80-something setting the stage for an archaeology of just ONE ordinary life - mine.
What will yours be?
01
First, I got a PhD. (before AI)
My professional career really began at 24 years-old. As a social studies teacher I began post-graduate studies, I was asked what my goal was: an Ed.D. or Ph.D.? The additional theory and a dissertation would take longer than a project, and the additional interdisciplanary material would be broadening. I chose the Ph.D. More versatile.
02
I was always flexible and open to change; and I have a passport!
I have had uncanny luck getting a job; let's just say getting the perfect job appears just in time when I need it. Wait till you hear about them. And, yes, there were several!
03
I have been dedicated to my profession and contributing ideas, volunteering for meetings, conferences, being active promoting the profession and the organization.
As soon as I got settled into the position and wherever it was, I engaged with colleagues and focused on being active and with an interest in contributing and in helping others. I was innovative, too!
04
I Published professional articles - to increase my visibility and my organization's.
The importance of publication cannot be over emphasized. It demonstrated to colleagues, students and evaluators that I was productive and had something worthwhile to say. And, it is the only way to get a "seat at the table" and get on the agenda and "be in the conversation."
Ah, as for my youthful, whimsical side...
Clearly, I am indeed "exponentially integrable!!" ...in a manner of speaking.
I will be introducing you to various interests of mine, both professionally, (collegiate teaching, mentoring, community, consulting; and personally, travelling, photography, and writing). Examples of these skills, and interests will be forthcoming.
I hope to re-introduce myself to my colleagues and former students to develop a sense of what I've been doing with my life. Likewise, I hope you help me get to know what you have been up to. My professional work beginning with high school social studies teaching in Connecticut, in 1971 to mentoring doctoral students through their dissertations. I retired in 2018 having had the privilege of teaching, conducting research, and mentoring students in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and throughout the US; an immensely rewarding life.
In addition, I have had the distinct pleasure of participating and presenting in
professional conferences on six continents (You know which continent I didn't get to?)
Mostly, I endeavored to live my values,
though rarely they were espoused than practiced. However, I always tried to increase the values in practice, and reduce the "hypocrisy factor."
You be the judge.
What was he thinking? A gaze felt through the ages. I would love to know how an archaeologist, a psychoanalyst, a biographer, and a historian could treat this material (the stuff of my life) as explanatory while treating this subject (me) as a collector of the stuff of life, commentator/ columnist of a single life story (mine). With images.
A very unusual art piece in the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.
I stumbled into this scene in Singapore. The uniformity of the gravestones contrasts with the appearance of the public housing blocks.
Life and Death.
Apparently. the author Paul Theroux, who also taught at the National University of Singapore was quoted as saying "public housing in Singapore amounts to living in a human filing cabinet."
This Kookaburra perched just in front of my desk thankfully distracting me while reminding me of the unique beauty surrounding me in Queensland, Australia.
While teaching at Bond University on the Gold Coast, I was delighted that some of my students wrote and produced a documentary of an experimental experiential curriculum called PROBE: Practical Organizational Behavior Education. (I have yet to figure out how to include it here.)
Food for Thought
The images below were selected for their contemplative power. Do you agree?
(Below, L-R): Me contemplating the meaning of life, and the limits to power and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after visiting Auschwitz; Kokopelli - birth, joy, creativity; Merit Bowls in which connect to others with Thanksgiving; and, the Reclining Buddha statue and the message of acceptance and preparing for Nirvana.
(All photos are C. 2025 John Nirenberg unless otherwise noted or allowed by the web host, IONOS, ot in the public domain.)
