In this episode, we visit a fascinating project at the University of Arkansas region that recreates Johnny Cash‘s boyhood home, as part of a broader look at the effects of the Depression in the state, and some of the routes from the rural poverty that began there.

Painter Merriman, the well-known designer, has created many of the builds here, and he takes us through many of these as we explore a really fascinating social history project, learning not only about Johnny Cash’s boyhood home, but also about the New Deal community of Dyess and the Southern Tenant Farmers Union (which now houses the Southern Tenant Famers Museum).

In this episode, we pay a final visit to the beautiful dieselpunk region of Seraph City.

Sadly, a few days after we filmed here, the owner announced his intention of converting the sim into a private region. Already the name has been changed and many of the iconic buildings have gone (including the Hawkesmoor Apartment buildings which we visit). Obviously, we had no idea that this was going to happen when we filmed the show – and nor did the Estate Manager, Edward Pearse, who was our escort.

We thought long and hard about broadcasting this, but decided to go ahead, even though the show is now more an elegy to Seraph City than an invitation to become part of a community.

We tour some of the beautiful builds in the city – and also talk about how episodes of The Blackened Mirror were filmed there – and were the basis of some popular games during the first season of the show.

In this episode, we explore the virtual City of Birmingham Library to discover a fascinating project that shows a convincing business use for virtual worlds.

Back in 2009, the City of Birmingham in England wanted to create an immersive online version of their planned city centre library. They turned to the company Daden Limited to realise their concept. This became a valuable tool in the creation of what is now a magnificent building in the heart of the city.

In this episode of Designing Worlds, we learn about the amazing (and beautiful) phenomenon that is Second Life Sailing.

We will be exploring different facets of sailing in Second Life – we’ll be talking to the icon of Second Life sailing, MarkTwain White, who will be telling us something of the history of sailing in Second Life, to David Abbott who tells us all about racing under sail – and takes use for a trip that demonstrates the speed of his craft, the Final Draft.

Then we’ll be talking to boat builders RJ Kikuchiyo, owner of Kiku Craft and builder of lighthouses, and Jethro Sands & Rene Underby of ReneMarine.

And finally we will be talking to our own Wildstar Beaumont, who supplied these beautiful pictures of sailing ships (and has supplied many more for the show). Wildstar talks to us about the Age of Sail and tall ships in Second Life, and the possibilities of long distance voyages of exploration.

Winter Nightfire’s wonderful creation for the Survivor and Caregivers’ Camp at Relay for Life of Second Life offers a fascinating introduction to the work of this powerfully moving artist.

Winter talks to Elrik about her work, while Saffia explores the much-admired installation that Winter created for Relay for Life – took you on an allegorical journey from the bleakness of diagnosis, on a long and difficult journey, with places of beauty for reflection and hopes for the future (the ruined cancer hospital is inspiring and poignant, a very special place) – till the journey reached its apogee in a burst of colour, excitement and sheer fun with a huge funfair.