Hey spritegoblin, although your hair is really thin all over, you still seem to have your hairline intact despite it being thin which can be a really good thing if you respond well to rogaine and finasteride. In my opinion, i dont think it looks bad at all during the second pics when its not under harsh light. f*** what malibujoe says, do what you feel looks the best even if thats not shaving it and give the treatments a shot. Some of the success stories here peoples hair have looked a LOT worse man, check out assignment zero and arash to give two examples off the top o my head. Their hair was completely thin everywhere much worse than yours, but they responded very well and have almost no visible baldness now. IMO with the coarse hair you have and your thinning pattern you really could be a good responder, just give it several months and make sure to use rogaine and finasteride (or dutasteride). Good luck.