I'm not sure if its a fair comparison, however it seems like place myths are similar to propaganda. The idea of a place myth is the spread of information whether intentionally controlled and manipulated in nature or by happenstance of generalizations of an area by outsiders and nonlocals. Regardless the information pushed forth creates and illusion and generalization about the area. This results in stereotypes, falsehoods, and direct misinformation that paints broad pictures of people, places and cultures. Whether good or bad its the immediate result of either misinformation or lack of research bundled with ignorance. The results of place myths in Columbus concluded in failure due to the inability to live up to exaggerations of a modernity to an area still heavily influenced by its Mexican roots. The downplay of the arid environment and the spike in Mexican refugees failed to produce any credibility to the information being fed to others. Ultimately the place myth died as the raid by Villa's forces was pushed back.