The primary aim of this research study is to explore the social and human potential of technologies designed to support awareness and enable autonomy. The concepts of awareness and autonomy are reconceptualized for 21(st) century technology-pervasive environments. Using a case study approach, this study focuses on the use experience of faculty and students with an emerging and next generation technology. Multiple methods are employed for quantitative and qualitative data collection along with multiple data analysis techniques. This study makes several contributions to research and practice, including: the development of a conceptual framework for 21(st) century autonomies and awareness; an autonomies and awareness research agenda; a reframing of the intuition concept for 21(st) century technologies; proposed use of intuitive inquiry as a method for studying people-technology interactions; and a human-centered computing (HCC) approach in support of technology and people in balance, enabling more immediate engagement with social impact and social implications issues. More broadly, this paper provides a strategic and overarching perspective for building new systems within a research context for the 21(st) century.