To think snobbery around the Kardashians is a bit pathetic?

[Notsuretoputit]

Just doing a rewatch of the series and was discussing it with a colleague. Sure enough another colleague pipes up with ‘I’ve never heard of them, don’t know who they are’.

He does know who they are. Whenever they’re mentioned someone always pretends not to know who they are or pretends to never have heard of them. Clearly they think it makes them hugely intelligent and superior.

AIBU to think this is annoying and if you don’t want to discuss a subject don’t join in the conversation?

Cultural empire!
Absolutely no culture involved

I’ve never watched their show but yes there’s enough stories of them about to have heard of them. I don’t like what they stand for but they’ve made a lot of money out of it, so they clearly aren’t as stupid as they’re portrayed.

I did notice a headline the other day that apparently North West is a total brat! And I did think, no surprise there! Not her fault, it’s the way she’s being brought up. It feels like they have 5000 kids between them so I think they’re planning on taking over the world 😂

I don’t need advice on my relationships.

He feels superior after the interaction. He identifies with being a person who is above gossip. But he needed to share that. I would probably only reveal that I don't watch love Island if I were asked. I wouldnt wander over to two men to tell them I don't watch love Island. Other people aren't props. If this guy in running club wants to feel intelligent he is free to either believe that without question, pursue challenging subject matter, or act cerebral around two women at running club. All 3 could reinforce his belief that he is above such shallow preoccupations, but which is easier. The second is at the cost of his time/effort. The third option that he chose is to use other people as a prop. He co-opted you into dialogue to make him feel superior/intelligent

Hate to break it to you, but you're inviting opinions here. So you're going to get them.

I disagree. They've created a brand worth millions globally. You certainly don't get that from being 'thick'.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

"Do they ever read a book? Discuss social issues? This is what l called them thick as mince. I k ow they’re successful, but they’re horrible role models."

I'm not their greatest fan, but as for social issues, Kim Kardashian has done a certain amount of successful legal campaigning to free women convicted for non-violent drug-related offences, personally campaigning for their release and paying their legal fees, and has been studying for the California bar exam, not (I think?) to necessarily practice as a lawyer, but to get a more practical understanding of the process. She has definitely put more hours into social justice than I ever have.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/arts/television/kim-kardashian-prison-reform.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kim-kardashian-west-has-helped-free-17-people-from-prison-in-the-last-90-days/

https://time.com/collection/time100-summit-2023/6274254/kim-kardashian-skims-criminal-justice-time100-2023/

I agree it's a bit pathetic to pretend you've never heard of them (if you definitely have) just in order to sound superior. Tbh I'm quite comfortable with being an intellectual snob about brainless, superficial celebrity culture bollocks, but I don't feel the need to pretend I have never heard of the Kardashians to do so.

I think the fortune they have amassed is helped by a country mile from their willingness to monetise Every. Aspect. Of. Their. Lives. Literally nothing is sacred.

Sell your soul and that of your kids to the devil and you will be minted for sure.

Good Americans are fabulous though.

She has definitely put more hours into social justice than I ever have.

//

I imagine that if you had more money than most people could ever dream of, lackeys running your empire on a day to day basis and could throw cash at most curve balls in life, you would get bored pretty quickly.

I imagine you could then choose to put your energy into voluntary efforts which many of us peasants do the difference is you would do it quietly under the radar.

@montelbano

"Cultural empire!
Absolutely no culture involved"

I'm not sure you are using the word "cultural" here in its full meaning. I don't think anybody is suggesting that they are a part of the most "high brow" forms of modern culture - they are not artists, essayists, or playwrights, they don't make our laws or design our architecture - but they are fully a component of today's culture. They embody a whole facet of modern life that, for good or bad, many young people (particularly in the States) DO very much emulate. That's not a value statement and I'm not saying whether that is good or bad at all, but it is true. They represent a significant and meaningful aspect of modern American culture.

Yep, sounds like it.

Because I'm sure you never judge 😉

Inviting opinions on the situation I’ve outlined.

Same, though not sure I’d even recognise her. I’m not proud of it, I don’t think it makes me superior - I’m just not interested in her or in 99% of celebs, inc. the Kardashians. I’m guessing the family is of Armenian origin - surnames ending in ‘ian’ very often are.

Exactly this.

I was just responding to the person asking if they ever discuss social issues. They do. Or at least one of them does. You don't have to twist it into something unpleasant. Even people you don't approve of can do good things.

I agree with you there. Actually I think that if you create such a toxic culture around beauty standards or at least contribute massively to it then you have more responsibility than the average Joe to do so.

Which I've responded to. Sometimes the answers won't always be to your taste. The joys of AIBU!

I know of the Kardashians, I know they have (or had?) a reality TV show. I don't know their first names or how they are related to each other.

This might be playing devil's advocate but I wonder if there's something tongue in cheek about his comments.

If the OP can say that every time the Kardashians are brought up this colleague says he hasn't heard of them, how often are they the topic of conversation at work?

I could see how someone might say things like "who? Never heard of them" if they subjected to regular conversations about who said what on reality TV because they're hearing about them a lot.

In ten years maybe four or five teams, usually after they’re a quiz question at the pub.

You've got to be a certain level of arrogant to think that people talking about something they like, would appreciate the 'point of view' of someone who holds such distain for it.

I know who they are and have watched the odd bit of odd episodes. I think they come across as shallow and vacuous and happy to be treated like sex object bimbos, even though they are clearly fairly clever women. I find this a bit pathetic and will say so if anyone asks me. I also think they're appalling role models for women and make it harder for normal women, who aren't protected by the wealth their parents engineered for them, to be taken seriously in society. So I would have said (if asked), I do know who they are but i have zero interest in watching or discussing them.

But so what? Im not their target demographic, clearly.