THE SHAKEUP: Are Gen Z psychic, the MJ biopic + gas tax

A generation is claiming psychic powers — not because of supernatural gifts, but because Gen Z is redefining intuition as spiritual insight. On this week’s Hack, host Dave Marchese unpacks a study showing 30% of Gen Z believe they have extrasensory perception, with the most common 'gift' being the ability to sense when something feels 'off' — a trait the panel links to heightened emotional intelligence, not mysticism. The conversation pivots sharply to the political firestorm over Australia’s proposed 25% tax on gas exports, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces backlash for potentially backing away from the policy despite public fury. Em Gillespie and Billy Darcy argue that Australians are rightly angry — gas companies made $55 billion during the Ukraine war while households struggle with fuel prices — and that the government’s hesitation is a betrayal of national wealth. Meanwhile, the Michael Jackson biopic sparks debate: is it a heartfelt tribute or a sanitized cover-up of serious allegations, especially given Janet Jackson’s absence and the film’s refusal to address key accusations? The episode closes with a surreal mix of humor and unease — from AI-generated 90s nostalgia videos to a psychic prediction that 'Albo loses the next election' — revealing a culture both searching for meaning and deeply skeptical of the institutions meant to provide it.