This is really interesting to me, this whole idea of canonical evidence, because to be completely honest, I have trouble separating fanon and canon now.

Laura, here's a question, that since you're in the thick of things, you might be able to answer.

People who strongly dislike Buffy -- for the most part, writers of fanfic or non-writers?

Could the debate be simplified down to writers (like me) think they "understand" Buffy because we have to work out her motivations for fic?

This is most likely a gross generalization, but I think it's an interesting question.