It seems as though there are two factions on this forum...

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I would probably fall somewhere in between. I dislike having AS because it means that it is more difficult to be social and have some of the opportunities that most NTs have. But I also like it because it provides a reason (NOT an excuse) for my random quirks. I am not the kind of person to lock myself in my room and never socialize and it is because of partial willingness, combined with people constantly wanting me to be social (usually in a non-annoying way, mostly people I respect) that has caused me to become more social.

Ideally, I would be something like Bec was talking about, but I think I'm more like Sarcastic_Name was talking about.

I think you're either a morlock or an eloi. You're either on top of the game and eating the elois, or you're in a fool's kind of paradise or delusion getting eaten by the morlocks.

I'd have to say i'm a morlock and in the majority.

I used to be part of the first category, but when I found out that fitting in wasn't worth it, I became the second category and now I'm the happiest I've ever been.

In a similar vein to thatrsdude, I try to fit into the world around me the best I can, but not by compromising my own happiness.

So, I embrace my autism, trying to get others to understand how they can make my life easier whilst also doing what I can within my limitations to function within the NT world the best that I can.

That for me is a happy balance between the two paradigms the OP described.

I don't like the term faction, it makes it sound like we're at war or something!
Although looking at some of the posts recently...

In my humble opinion, the schism between the factions here has been evident for quite some time. I think civil war is inevitable if the rebel faction is not allowed to succede. The phpnuke forum code does permit groups to be created: Global Moderators is just one of a potential many of them.

A logical division is between the defiants, those who believe having Asperger's syndrome means flaunting its symptoms in public no matter what the costs, and the integrationists, who try to adapt to living in an NT world and reep its benefits while being mindful of their unique assets. Other possible groups are child and adult. The mature forum could be made available only to adults, for example. Membership to the age-appropriate group would be determined by a brief interview from a mod after the person has made a contribution in the more general forums (this prevents kids from accessing mature discussion, and it allows them to discuss their attitude with an Informed Authority to determine what attitude they hold).

Imagine if, for example, there were two separate Romance forums: one for the defiants and another for the integrationists. Here are sample discourses:

Can someone move neant's post to the mature forum please? If I want to read this kind of stories then I know where to go, I don't want to read it when I don't expect it. It's supposed to be there because it's not about romance but about s*x, which is obvious from phrases like 'made passionate [censored]', 'hot', etc. I found it really disturbing and depressing.

Woh, the first case of super-sensory overload in the chatroom with 30 people talking about this stuff.

Mind bending.

I don't exactly go shouting my AS but I don't hide it either. If the topic comes up, it comes up. But I am definitely proud.

Though I do wish some integration because it is necessary IRL. Usually I get along pretty well with people, despite my eccentricities. I find I am invited places more often than I choose to just go.

I love my eccentricity and I also find it necessary to try and get along with people, to facilitate enjoyment and prevent anxiety.

Integration to some extent is functionally realistic unless one's goal is to be a total hermit and live in a shack in the woods. This is not my goal. But I love who and what I am for the most part and will only tweek the things in me which make ME unhappy.

Theres a 3rd, hidden, unknown faction: The Evil world domination force. And they plan to take over the internet.

Seriously, you may be right, but there still is a 3rd faction, the middle. Thats where I come. I make no secret that I have AS, but I also try to adapt to the world around me just the same as it adapts to me. (is that zen? )

I'm diffinitely part of the 2nd group.

I have been for the past several years now.....before I even heard of AS, and it's the most content I've been in my 32 years on this planet.

I'm very sensitive to how others reject me due to my behavior. I find it hard to embrace AS under these circumstances.

Of the AS people I've met, most who do well psychologically are less aware how others see them, at least on a gut-reaction level.

I see AS as a collection of traits, not one big thing. I like the vivid imagination and ability to think in pictures - those have really come in handy at work when I design programs from scratch. However, the meltdowns, sensory issues, and horrible social skills all totally SUCK. If I could sell my soul to get rid of that crap forever without sacrificing any of the good stuff, I would.

I am niether ashamed nor proud of my aspy-ness,most of the time I don't even think about it