It offers us a vision, perhaps of those who came before us, or who failed to open the pods of those left behind. [If they thought them dead, they may not have bothered. Lexa doubts this for some reason: even if the bodies themselves were dead and rancid, the food supplies would have (and should have) been enough to inspire others to dig them up.]

It may even show what's likely to happen to us if we aren't careful. [Vague, but really, Jim has to experience it himself.]