a study by morahan-martin and schumacher (2000) on compulsive or problematic internet use discusses this phenomenon, suggesting the ability to self-represent from behind the computer screen may be part of the compulsion to go online. the phrase can be taken "to mean that cyberspace will be liberatory because gender, race, age, looks, or even 'dogness' are potentially absent or alternatively fabricated or exaggerated with unchecked creative license for a multitude of purposes both legal and illegal", an understanding that echoed statements made in 1996 by john gilmore, a key figure in the history of usenet. the phrase also suggests the ability to "computer cross-dress" and represent oneself as a different gender, age, race, etc. on another level, "the freedom which the dog chooses to avail itself of, is the freedom to 'pass' as part of a privileged group; "i.e.", human computer users with access to the internet".