In a way, yes. When you apply the maximum filter, all whites get bigger. Because Median samples in  squares, you get lots of white squares. Therefore you apply Gaussian Blur with the same radius as Maximum. This way you get thick and soft area-lines.
This kind of mask may not be sharp. The intention is to get white where the outlines/edges are and black in the large areas. The transition must be soft yet edgy, and certainly not a series of squares.

There are no Borg. All resistance is fertile.