Debunking the Debunker: My Response to Mick West’s Critique of Luis Elizondo’s Imminent

Written by UAP Files - Jimmy

Today, we're jumping into Luis Elizondo's newly released book, Imminent, and more specifically, the analysis carried out by the well-known skeptic and debunker, Mick West.

In this report, I'll highlight the inaccuracies in Mick's analysis and provide a detailed response supported by cold, hard facts. Mick West’s critique of Imminent revisits familiar territory—particularly his ongoing debate over the “facts” surrounding the famous Tic Tac and Go Fast UAP footage. Mick speaks with absolute confidence, but it’s important to remember that these cases are far from resolved. Government analysts, scientists, and even Mick’s own Metabunk community have yet to reach a consensus, making his assertions more opinion than fact. Let’s dive in.

Mick West’s Critique of Elizondo’s Introduction

Mick’s Claim: Mick begins by criticising Elizondo’s introduction, stating that Lue provides no evidence for extraordinary claims involving psychic powers, glowing orbs, implants, and government conspiracies.

My Response: This assertion isn’t entirely accurate. Elizondo references a wealth of material on psychic powers, much of which is publicly accessible, including the CIA’s interest in these phenomena (e.g., Project Stargate). The existence of these programs is well-documented and even popularised in mainstream culture, such as in the film The Men Who Stare at Goats. Additionally, Elizondo does provide evidence in the form of a photo of an alleged implant. While Mick dismisses these references, they do constitute evidence, even if they’re not conclusive.

Project Stargate. Document approved for release 2001.

Inverted Video Analysis: Hot vs. Cold Imagery

Mick’s Claim: Mick critiques the use of inverted video imagery, arguing that pilots don’t react to the image change when they switch from "white-hot" to "black-hot" or vice versa. He implies that this switch doesn’t significantly impact what is observed.

My Response: This critique is misleading. The contrast and detail perception in infrared imagery can vary significantly depending on the palette used. In certain scenarios, switching from "white-hot" to "black-hot" can indeed enhance the observer’s ability to discern specific features. For instance, "black-hot" might make it easier to see fine details against a bright background, which could be crucial in certain UAP encounters. Mick’s claim that the pilots don’t react to the change is also inaccurate. The pilot is heard saying, “Look at that thing, dude,” shortly after the image switch, indicating a reaction. The delay in reaction is due to the basic function of radio communication (push-to-talk), which Mick fails to acknowledge.

Comparison between “white hot” and “black hot” imagery.

Selective Editing and Aura Misinterpretation

Mick’s Claim: Mick suggests that the “aura” seen in some UAP footage is a mere camera artifact, dismissing its significance.

My Response: Mick's analysis here is selective. Elizondo references CIA analyses that assert the aura is not a camera artifact, a conclusion supported by experts. This is corroborated by the testimony of Chad Underwood, the pilot who filmed the Tic Tac UFO. Underwood mentioned switching through modes to obtain better footage, a practice common in video analysis to improve visual clarity. The “aura” has been heavily debated, but dismissing it as merely an artifact ignores the intelligence community’s assessment, which Elizondo, a former intelligence officer, relies upon.

Misinterpretation of Witness Testimony

Mick’s Claim: Mick dismisses witness testimony as unreliable and not valid data, particularly in cases where sensor data is classified.

My Response: This is a critical flaw in Mick’s analysis. Witness testimony, especially from trained military personnel, is valuable, particularly when sensor data remains classified. Elizondo, during his time with the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), had access to this data, witnesses, and sensor platforms that are not available to the public. Mick’s reluctance to consider witness testimony undermines the credibility of his analysis, especially when such testimonies are corroborated by multiple sources, including scientists and naval pilots.

Aguadilla UAP Case

Mick’s Claim: Mick reanalyses the Aguadilla UAP case, aligning with conclusions from some in Metabunk that the object was likely mundane.

My Response: The Aguadilla case was thoroughly investigated by the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU), which included experts such as military systems engineers and nuclear physicists. Their 162-page report concludes that the object in question exhibited characteristics that no known aircraft or drone possesses, such as the ability to travel underwater at high speeds without significant impact. The SCUAPS report stands as one of the most comprehensive analyses to date, contradicting Mick’s conclusion. It’s a matter of expert analysis versus a skeptic’s opinion, and in this case, I side with the experts.

Aguadilla UAP case.

Conclusion

Mick West is a polarising figure in the UFO community, and while his analyses are often interesting and well-presented, they fall short in this critique of Elizondo’s Imminent. Much of Mick’s analysis relies on selective editing, dismissal of credible witness testimony, and a failure to consider the full context of the evidence presented.

Elizondo’s book, while speculative in parts, is based on a wealth of classified and unclassified data, much of which Mick does not have access to. As with any secretive government program, full disclosure isn’t possible, but that doesn’t invalidate the evidence that is presented. Readers and viewers should be aware that Mick’s critique, while confident, is ultimately one of many opinions in a field that is still far from conclusive.

For those interested in a deeper dive, I recommend checking out the thorough analysis provided by the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies, as well as my detailed video response available on YouTube.

Links:

• Mick West Video: YouTube

• Jeremy Corbell Interview / Chad Underwood: YouTube

• Scientific Coalition of UAP Studies Report: SCU Report

• Mick West on UAP Files: YouTube