Learning to block out images

In the NPR story, The hosts talked about how the brain makes decisions based on the competing influences of the logical part of the brain and the emotional part of your brain. They talked about the results of studies that showed that vivid images cause your brain to go into emotional mode, while a lack of imagery forces the brain to think logically. 

The point they didn't make is how much better logical thinking is than emotional thinking. I cannot think of a single case in which emotional thinking would lead to a correct decision where logic would have led you to believe something else. 

What does this mean for reading and listening? It means that we need to be aware that imagery tricks our brain into making decisions incorrectly. We need to stop our brain from doing this by making a habit of using logic in all situations. We need to remove ourselves from the grip of the writer so we can make our own decisions, not have them made for us. 

What does this mean for our writing and speaking? It means that we have to be very careful how we use images. Images should only be a supplement to a logical argument, not an argument on their own. Images without logic are just propaganda, and are entirely unethical.