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expanded upon Andy's edits
"Quote mining" is a term not recognized by the dictionary, and which is used primarily by defenders of the theory of evolution to oppose the creationist practice of arguing by quotation.<ref>The term "quote mining" shows up on only 34,500 Google pages as of May 14, 2007 (less than one-tenth the number of pages returned when "Conservapedia" is searched, by comparison). At least five out of the first six of those pages returned by Google for a search on "quote mining" were written by evolutionists.</ref> Quote mining refers to several practices including taking a portion of a quotation out of context, presenting out-of-date material as current, removing an intervening passage from a quotation without an ellipsis, improper citation, or otherwise manipulating the text. The effect of quote mining is to make it appear that the speaker is making a point contrary to his actual intent when the speaker may be employing rhetoric or explaining his opponents' arguments.
'''{{PAGENAME}}''' aka contextomy<ref>http://mcs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/27/4/511</ref>, refers to several practices including taking a portion of a quotation [[out of context]], presenting out-of-date material as current, removing an intervening passage from a quotation without an ellipsis, improper citation, or otherwise manipulating the text. The effect of quote mining is to make it appear that the speaker is making a point contrary to his actual intent when the speaker may be employing rhetoric or explaining his opponents' arguments.
Quote Mining, especially where a list of quotes (a "mine") is produced, reflects a deliberate and systematic misrepresentation of the original view(s) of the author(s). The modern term quote mining was coined in response to intentionally out of context quotes being used to 'prove' [[evolution]] was not supported by prominent scientists, when in fact it is. Its use however has expanded beyond discussions of evolution (examples: [http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2006/05/owen_mcshane_goes_quote_mining.php], [http://reddit.com/info/137ak/comments/c137dj], [http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=151147], [http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2006_08/009300.php]).
==Controversy==
"Quote mining" is a term not recognized by the dictionary, and which is used primarily by defenders of the theory of evolution to oppose the creationist practice of arguing by quotation.<ref>The term "quote mining" shows up on only 34,500 Google pages as of May 14, 2007 (less than one-tenth the number of pages returned when "Conservapedia" is searched, by comparison). At least five out of the first six of those pages returned by Google for a search on "quote mining" were written by evolutionists.</ref>
Aside from the fact that quote mining in and of itself is a disingenuous practice, it also commits the logical fallacy of appeal to authority. Even if the mined quote were factual, the opinion of a single individual, or group of individuals would not affect the actual validity of a scientific theory. Theories are decided on their merit and correspondence to the evidence, not the opinions of "authorities."
Aside from the fact that quote mining in and of itself is a disingenuous practice, it also commits the logical fallacy of appeal to authority. Even if the mined quote were factual, the opinion of a single individual, or group of individuals would not affect the actual validity of a scientific theory. Theories are decided on their merit and correspondence to the evidence, not the opinions of "authorities."