One possible way out [of the Taiwan issue] would be to put a time limit on our defense of Taiwan. Say, 75 years. Then we could say that everyone born in Taiwan today could expect to live out their lives under US protection - but after that, they would have to look out for themselves. This might suit both nations' time horizons. To the Chinese, 75 years might seem like a long wait. To Americans, 50 years is actually longer than "never". You can verify this experimentally: Ask Americans whether something (fusion power, artificial intelligence, a cure for aging, a Best Picture for an animated movie) will ever happen, or whether it will happen in 50 years. More will say that it will happen in 50 years than that it will ever happen.

-- Phil Goetz