For macOS 13, Ventura... Go to the Apple menu, then System Settings. Click "Desktop & Dock". Turn off the option "Show recent applications in Dock".
For systems before macOS 13, Ventura... Go to the Apple menu and choose "System Preferences". Choose the "Dock" preference panel. Uncheck the box next to "Show recent applications in Dock".
I usually write a blog post about once a week. The latest post can be viewed here: Value Autonomy: We need to value autonomy. (posted 2025-07-08 at 21:16:13). I do podcasts too!. You can listen to my latest podcast, here: OJB's Podcast 2025-06-28 An Empathy Deficit: They end up reducing the total empathy in the world..