Abstract
This paper tires to understand scientists' publishing activity so that we can have a better understanding on the relationship between science and society. Scientists publish in two: one is to publish academic papers, the other is to popularize science. I call the former inpublishing, since it is directed toward the scientific community, and the latter outpublishing, since it is published outside the scientific community. I comprehend that scientists take in resources from research environment and send out information through media environment. Applying this framework to the four Nordic countries, I try to elucidate these environments and to discuss on the factors affecting outpublishing. Peripheralness may be a common yardstick in comparing this area and Japan. Smallness in size, the Nordic Cooperation and living democracy are important factors for outpublishing. Concludingly, it is noticed that peripheralness of scientific activities may be a key factor affecting outpublishing.
