I’m not sure I’ve seen argued that anyone should be ashamed for not knowing about them, merely that they should be ashamed for pretending to not know about them.
I still tend to think they’re something from the later incarnations of Star Trek.
Actively avoiding knowing about them sort of implies you have some knowledge about what it is you’re trying to avoid.
I avoid Glenn Beck. I couldn’t repeat a single insane utterance that’s come out of his mouth in years. But I can’t pretend like I’m not at least aware of the man or why I actively avoid all media content associated with his name or image.
And Glenn Beck doesn’t even get a fraction of click bait and media exposure that the Kardashians enjoy.
So should anyone residing in the US be ashamed of not having the slightest idea of who the Kardashians are? … Yeah… a little bit… <shrug>
I’m imagining the conversation where this “active avoidance” hypothesis makes sense:
“Have you ever met Bob Schwartz from the finance department?”
“No. I have never heard of him. And, goddamn it, I shan’t have his name mentioned in my presence ever again!”
Actively keep up? Heavens, no! But living in society as a functioning member… information tends to seep in through the cracks. I’m not really sure how that can be avoided.
The OP said that people who claim not to know about them are liars. That is, there’s no one who actually doesn’t know who Kim Kardashian is. The implication is that anyone who makes such a claim should be ashamed. That’s so much better than shaming someone for not knowing.
Yes. They should be ashamed of being liars.
OOOH! OHH! OOHH! I know! I know!
The family is rich because they are the kids of Robert Kardashian, late of the Dream Team and other high profile criminal cases.
Kim was a bestie party buddy of Paris Hilton during her heyday and was one of the posse that was hired by LA club promoters to come to clubs and be pretty and rich in public, then she released a sex tape with some rapper and got some notoriety of her own.
Now, she is famous for creating perpetual motion by making Robert Kardashian spin in his grave!
If it gets me out of having a conversation with you about Kim Kardashian, I’ll be happy to lie, and I won’t feel ashamed about it one bit. I mean, I don’t get this. Why does it matter why people claim not to know who she is?
Maybe they don’t know. Maybe they’re not interested in talking about what they do know. Maybe they just don’t want to talk to you. Maybe they’re under orders from the moderators not to talk about the Kardashians anymore. Why do you care? How does this affect your almost godlike omniscience of all matters celebrity?
Maybe they are under the spell of an evil wizard who will give them perpetual hiccups for the rest of their lives if they admit to knowing that Kim Kardashian is on a reality show. Or maybe they do actually know but like to pretend to be superior for not knowing.
So what? Why do you care?
I’ve given you the false impression that I’ve ever had an actual conversation about the Kardashians except in this kind of meta way that this thread has inspired. I have not. But I have been witness to people very obviously trying to deny ever having heard the name and it’s so obvious they are lying about it that it’s actually painful to watch. I’d feel bad for them if I wasn’t so irritated by their attempts to appear as if some bit of useless pop culture knowledge is somehow beneath them.
Because either they are lying or I am stupid. And I’m not stupid.
I remember the name because it sounds like Cardassians from Star Trek. I’m aware that a lot of people seem to be really interested in them, but I don’t understand why, nor do I wish to.
I think Taylor Swift won American Idol or something. I couldn’t identify her songs if they were played in front of me. I don’t listen to any stations that carry them.
To add to what Frank said… So what? Why do you care if someone is lying about what they know about the Kartrashians? Seriously, of all the things people might lie about, that has to be down at the very bottom of the list.
Really? So you’re aware that a lot of people have an interest in them but you have absolutely no curiousity about why that might be?
That’s right. I’m working my way up. 
You didn’t get sidetracked, that’s why they’re famous.
Enjoy the journey! 
Now, about that last beer that was in the fridge last night…